THE  EAELY  COINS  OF  AMEETCA. 


PLATE    I. 


■M\^ 


THOSE       RELOW       AIIE       COl'lES. 


2S 


lIlJ.lorVlMC     CAllONT. 


THE 


Early  Coins  of  America; 


AND    TOE 


LAWS     GOVERNING     T  II  E  I  It     ISSUE. 


COMPKISINO    ALSO    DESCKIPTIONS    OF 


THE  WASHINGTON  PIECES,  THE  ANGLO-AMERICAN  TOKENS, 

MANY    PIECES    OF    UNKNOWN    ORIGIN, 


OF  THE  SEVENTEENTH  AND  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURIES, 


AND    THE 


FIEST    PATTERNS    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES    MINT. 


By     SYLVESTER     S.     CROSBY. 


BOSTON: 

P  U  li  L  I  S  n  E  D     BY     T  II  K     A  U  T  H  ()  K . 
187&. 


ARC.  ON  A  1)1.      IN(    ..      l>Uin    ISIfERS 
CHICAGO  M  ( M  I    X  \'  1  I 


0ver5/ze- 


Entered,  according'  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  of  onr  Lord  One  Thonsaiid  Eight  Hundred  and  Seventy-tl)vec,  by 

SYLVESTER    S.  CROSBY, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Con;;ress,  at  Washington. 


Lithographed   in   U.S.A.   by 

EDWARDS     BROTHERS,     INC. 

Ann  Arbor,  Michigan 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  view  of  the  great  interest  in  the  study  of  Numismatology,  and  the  many  recent 
discoveries  of  local  coins  not  heretofore  described,  as  well  as  the  numerous  errors  (perhaps 
unavoidable  at  their  time,)  into  which  writers  upon  the  subject  of  American  coins  have  fallen, 
it  was  deemed  expedient,  a  few  years  since,  by  the  New  England  Numismatic  and  Arch^o- 
LOGii'AL  Society,  at  the  suggestion  of  tlicii-  then  Vice  President,  (Mr.  Charles  Chaplin,)  to 
publish  a  work  which  should  contain  full  and  correct  descriptions  of  those  coins  known 
among  American  collectors  as  "Colonials."  A  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Sylvester  S. 
Crosby,  Dudley  R.  Child,  Ciias.  Chaplin,  Chas.  S.  Fellows,  T.  Edward  Uond,  and  Jas.  E. 
Root,  was  thereupon  appointed  to  ]irepare  the  work  for  publication. 

When  it  became  known  that  such  a  work  was  contemplated,  many  friends,  in  whose 
judgment  the  greatest  confidence  was  icposcd,  advised  tliat  it  should  be  made  to  include  also 
copies  of  the  laws  by  authority  of  which  such  coins  were  issued,  as  well  as  of  acts  and 
proposals,  or  jietitions,  having  in  view  the  establishment  of  a  coinage,  whiih  were  presented 
to  or  passed  by  those  States  which  took  action  upon  this  subject.  This  advice  was  accepted, 
though  not  without  much  lu-sitation,  in  conseijuence  of  the  magnitude  of  the  work  which 
such  a  jjlan  w<ju1(1  necessitate,  and  the  time  requisite  for  the  study  and  rcscai'ch  which  should 
be  devoted  to  the  subject  to  insure  reliability. 

Circumstances  having  relieved  tlie  Committee  to  whom  the  work  was  entrusted,  from  their 
labor,  the  duty  of  preparing  this  volume  most  unexpectedly  devolved  upon  myself,  originally 
the  Chairman  of  the  Committee.  Having  constantly  in  view  tlie  i)lan  adopted,  I  have  therefore 
personally  insjicctcd  and  co])ied  nearly  all  the  records  and  documents  relating  to  coinage 
which  the  strictest  search  could  discover  in  tlie  archives  of  the  sevi'ral  Slates;  and  of  nmst 
of  those    not    examined    1iy    nie,    certified    copies    h:\\f    been    prcK-ured.      Of    some    documents     I 


IV  THE    KAKI.Y    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

have  been  comiielloil  to  obtain  copies  from  the  State  Paper  Office  in  England,  where  they 
were  made  for  me  with  great  care,  and  carefully  revised.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned 
some  papers  referiing  to  the  coinage  of  New  England,  to  that  of  Lord  Baltimore,  and  to  the 
]iatents  of   William   Wood. 

When  this  work  was  undertaken,  it  was  with  the  feeling  that  there  was  little  to  be  found 
not  already  known  to  most  of  those  wlio  are  interested  in  this  science;  but  my  labors  have 
been  rewarded  with  more  success  than  I  had  reason  to  expect,  and  I  think  I  can  say  with 
truth,  that  (his  work  contains  much  information  never  befoi'e  published,  and  several  important 
papers  heretofore  entirely   unknown. 

]My  intention  has  been  to  give  all  the  trustworthy  information  at  my  command  relative 
to  those  coins,  or  the  tokens  which  were  intended  to  serve  as  coins,  which  were  eitlier  struck 
in  those  parts  of  America  which  now  constitute  the  United  States,  or  were  intended  for  use 
therein.  Some  coins  are  treated  ui)ou  herein  which  ]ierhaps  are  not  strictly  comprised  within 
the  above  limits,  but  which,  lieing  of  interest  from  tlieir  connection  with  the  early  history 
of  our  country,  or  from  association  therewith,  are  eagerly  sought  by  collectors  of  American 
coins.  The  most  noticeable  instance  of  this  kind  is  the  coin  of  the  Sommer  Islands;  in  reference 
to  tlicse  1  have  cpioted  much  from  Smitii's  History  of  those  islands  which  was  thought  to 
be  of  interest  in  this  connection,  as  it  contains  the  only  early  reference  to  these  coins  that  has 
come  to  my  knowledge,  as  well  as  some  other  pa.ssages  of  numismatic  interest. 

I  would  here  express  my  obligation  to  many  numismatists  who  have  materially  aided  me 
in  my  undertaking:  To  W^illiam  S.  Appleton,  A.  M.,  of  Boston,  for  great  assistance  in  descrip- 
tions, particularly  uptui  points  of  hei'aldry,  as  well  as  for  facilities  for  illustrating  many 
pieces  in  his  extensise  collection;  to  Hon.  Ciiari.ijs  H.  Belt,  of  Exeter,  New  Hampshire,  for 
copies  of  the  Act,  and  drawings  of  the  ilesigns  of  coins  for  that  State;  to  J.  Carson  Brevookt, 
Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  for  assistance  in  the  tabulation  of  State  coin.s,  and  the  loan  of  many 
coins  required  for  illustration;  to  Ciiakles  I.  Busiineli,,  Esq.,  of  Neiv  York,  so  well  known 
as  an  indefatigable  student  and  collector,  not  only  of  coins,  but  also  of  their  history,  for 
much  of  the  result  of  his  lal)ois  ;  to  Ciiaui.es  Clay,  M.  D.,  of  Jlanchester,  England,  for  impres- 
sions of  many  coins  in  his  collection,  then  in  England;  to  Jeremiah  Colrurx,  A.  M.,  of 
Boston,  for  many  important  favors  ;  to  Robert  C.  Davis,  Ph.  G.,  and  Edward  Maris,  M.  D., 
of  Philadeljihia,  for  many  new  varieties  of  coins,  and  for  copies  of  papers  not  otherwise 
attainable  ;  to  Hon.  Ciiaui.es  J.  Hoadly,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  for  copies  of  papers  unknown 
to  us  except  through  him  ;  to  Messrs.  Louiv  G.  Parmelee,  of  Boston,  the  present,  and 
Geoikie  F.   Seavey,  of  Cambridge,   the  formei-   owner  of  the   "Seavey  Collection,"  for  the  use 


INTRODUCTION.  V 

of  any  specimens  in  that  collection  that  would  facilitate  my  object;  to  Matthew  A.  Sticknev, 
Esq.,  of  Salem,  ]\Iass.,  for  the  use  of  several  specimens,  unknown  except  in  his  Cabinet,  as 
well  as  for  other  assistance  ;  to  Messrs.  Henry  S.  Adams,  Samuel  A.  Green,  M.  D.,  and 
Dr.  W.  Elliot  Woodward,  of  Boston,  Messrs.  Be.v.iamin  Betts,  Edward  Cogan,  Coun 
LiGHTBODY  and  William  II.  Strobridge,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Isaac  Francis  Wood,  Esq.,  of 
New  York,  William  Fewsmitii,  A.  M.,  of  Philadelphia,  Augustine  Siiurtleff,  M.  D.,  of 
Brookline,  Mass.,   and  to   many  others,   who   have  rendered  me  valuable  assistance. 

The  subscribers,  who  have  the  sincere  thanks  of  the  author  for  their  assistance  and 
forbearance,  will  call  to  mind,  some  with  impatience,  and  many  with  regret,  but  none  with 
the  sorrow  of  the  author,  the  many  occasions  of  delay  in  the  issue  of  the  several  parts.  These 
delays  were  unavoidable,  but  have,  beyond  a  doubt,  contributed  to  the  completeness  of  the 
work,  as  the  interest  awakened  by  it,  and  the  time  allowed  for  the  e.^ercise  of  that  interest, 
have  been  the  means  of  bringing  to  light  several  new  and  important  pieces,  and  some  information 
of  value,  which  would  otherwise  have  remained  unavailable  in  this  connection. 

I  intend  no  exaggeration  in  stating  that  I  have  long  anticipated  the  day  that  should 
witness  the  completion  of  my  labors,  as  a  day  that  would  bring  me  relief  from  the  greatest 
care  with  which  I  have  been  burdened;  a  care  I  would  never  have  accepted  had  I  entertained 
the  most  remote  idea  that  the  whole  labor  and  responsibility  would  devolve  upon  me,  as  has 
proved  to  be  the  case.  And  although  my  labors  in  this  undertaking  have  brought  me  many 
pleasant  correspondents,  acquaintances  and  friends,  yet  the  frequent,  long,  and  often  vexatious 
delays,  and  the  absence  of  expected  assistance,  have  rendered  them,  at  times,  extremely  arduous. 

I  now  send  forth  this  volume,  in  the  hope  that  I  have  fallen  into  no  more  trrievous 
errors  than  has  been  the  fortune  of  earlier  numismatic  writers;  that  my  labors  have  not 
been  fruitless  in  obtaining  material  for  some  addition  to  the  amount  of  knowledge  n])on  a 
subject  which  has  been  too  much  neglected;  and,  as  the  study  of  Numismatics  is  a  valuable 
adjunct  to  tlu'  study  of  History,  I  trust  that  my  work  may  not  prove  to  be  without  value 
in   an   historical   point  of   view. 

S.  S.  CROSBY. 
Boston,  .Iuly  1,  1875. 


In  commencing  this  work,    it    was   thouglit    that    a   book   might    be   produced    free    from 

typographical  errors,  if  not  from  errors  of  statement  ;  but  the  force  of  the  old  couplet,  — 

"Whoever  thinks  a  faultless  piece  to  see 
Thinks  what  ne'er  was,  nor  is,  nor  e'er  will  be," 

is  realized,  and  attention  must  be  called  to  the  following  corrections. 

Page  IG,  twelfth  line,  for  Felget.  read  Felgat. 

Page  82,  seventh  line,  for  p  read  p 

Page  98,  last  line,  for  John  Addington,  read  Is*   Addington. 


Page  106,   last  line,  for  pees,  read  pies. 

Page  121,  first  line,  for  1605,  read  1705. 

Page  162,  tenth  line,  for  14,  read  24. 

Page  180,  cuts  No.  29  and  30,  sliould  be  transposed. 

Page  249,  the  lower  brace  in  the  dash  column  of  the  table  of  reverses,  should  include  F. 

Page  290,  twenty-sixth  line,  for  INIarch  5th,  read  March  3d. 

Page  347,  seventh   line,  v,   should  be  ^ 


M  A  E  Iv  S    AND    C  O  N  T  R  A  C  T  I  (JK  8 


A  Dash  (-)  over  a  letter,  indicates  the  omission  of  a  letter,  usually  a 
repetition,  following  the  one  marked. 

A  Curved  Line  ~  indicates  the  omiss^ion  of  one  or  more  letters  after  the 
one  marked. 

Superior  Letters,  usually  indicate  the  omission  of  contiguous  letters,  either 
preceding-  or  following  them,  though  they  are  sometimes  used  where  the  word 
is  written  full. 

Some  doubtful  words  are  placed  between  bi'ackets    [  ]. 

Repetitions  in  the  original  records  are  printed  in  Italics,  as  are  also 
some  paits  which  in  the  original  were  erased. 

The  following  characters  are  used  in  the  manner  indicated: — 

a,  —  trear,  tivasurer. 
CO,  —  tio,  —  accon,  action. 
m,  —  mm,  —  coiiion,  common, 
in,  —  settlciii",  settlement, 
ii,  —  nn,  ano,  anno. 
11,  — restrainng,  restraining. 
6,  —  amo",  amount. 

p,  —  par,  por,  —  pt,  part  ;  ption,  portion, 
p,  —  per,  —  pfoi'm,  perform, 
p,  —  pro,  —  pvide,  provide, 
p,  —  pre,  —  place,  jireface. 
K,  —  sd,  said, 
t,  —  capt,  captain, 
ll,  —  goUe"',  governor. 


DIRECTIONS   TO   THE   BINDER. 


o»?o 


Plate  I  to  face  title  page. 

Maniiscii{)t 

Plate  (two  page)  to  face  page 

34 

(( 

"     (one     "     )     " 

41 

Plate       II  to  face  page 

58 

III 

u               a 

14(j 

IV 

it               a 

16-2 

V 

a                it 

186 

VI 

a                it 

250 

"       VII 

LL                            (L 

298 

"      VIII 

u                      (( 

322 

IX 

u                a 

338 

X 

... 

354 

CONTENTS 


-»<♦»«- 


PAGH. 

INTRODUCTION,     ........  iii 

SOMMEK   ISLANDS,        .......  H 

VIRGINIA,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .      ■  .  19 

MASSACHUSETTS,  SILVER   CURRENCY,  ....  25 

MARYLAND,  ........         1'23 

CANADA,  ........  133 

THE   SAINT   PATRICK,  OR   MARK    NEWBY    HALFPENCE,  .  .         135 

PROPOSALS   FOR    COINAGE,     ......  139 

THE  ROSA   AMERICANA   SERIES,  .  .  .  .  .145 

PENNSYLVANIA,  .......  169 

NEW   HAMPSHIRE,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .175 

VERMONT,         .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  177 

CONNECTICUT,        ........        203 

MASSACHUSETTS   COPPER  CURRENCY,  ....  '225 

NEW   JERSEY,         .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .275 

NEW   YORK,     .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .289 

THE   FUGIOS,  ........        297 

PATTERNS   AND  TOKENS,        ......  303 

THE    WASHINGTON    PIECES,  ......         349 

THE   EARLY    PATTERNS   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES  MI. NT,        .  .  303 

SOUTH    CAROLINA,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .367 

CONCLUSION,  ........  369 


SOMMER     ISLANDS 


As  the  coinage  for  the  Bermuda  or  Somiiier  Islands  was  d()ul)tless  tlie 
first  ever  struck  for  the  Enghsh  colonies  in  America,  that  first  claims  atten- 
tion in  the  development  of  our  plan. 

These  islands,  although  now  having  no  political  connection  with  the 
United  States,  were  claimed  hy  the  Virginia  Company  as  inclu(U'(l  in  tlicir 
grant,  until  their  claim  was  sold,  ahout  1612. 

The  following  sketch  of  the  history  of  their  settlement,  as  given  hy 
Capt.  John  Smith,  in  "  The  Generall  Historic  of  Virginia  New-England  and 
the  Summer  Isles,"  puhlished  in  London  in  1G24,  may  not  be  without  interest, 
aside  from  the  numismatic  information  it  furnishes. 

In  excuse  for  quoting  so  nuidi  which  is  apparently  irrelevant  to  the 
subject,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  fii-st  sentence  of  these  extracts,  in 
which  he  may  make  the  alterations  necessary  to  suit  it  foi-  the  purpose  ; 
for,  as  Geography  has  an  intimate  connection  with  History,  so  also  has 
Niunismatology  a  relation  hardly  less  intimate  or  less  im])ortant.  Cai)tain 
Smith  wi'ites  : 

"Before  we  ])resent  yon  tiie  mattei's  ol'  Ihet,  it  is  lit  to  oll'er  to  _\(iur 
view  the  Stage  whereon  they  were  acted,  I'oi-  as  Geography  without  History 
seemeth  a  carkasse  without  motion,  so  History  without  (ieography,  ^\a^lll■etll 
as  a  A^ngrant  without  a  ceitMine  habitation.  Those  Hands  lie  in  tlie  huge 
maine  (^cean,  and  two  luuidred  leagues  from  any  continent,  situated  in  152. 
degrees  and  25.  tninntes,  of  Northerly  latitude,  and  distant  from  lOngland 
West    Soutli-West,  aliout    '.V.'AH).   miles,   >onie    twcut^    uiiles    in    lenglli,   iiiul    not 


12  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

past  two  miles  and  a  halfe  in  brtadtli,  enuironed  with  Rocks,  which  to  the 
North-ward,  West-ward,  and  Sonth-East,  extend  further  tlien  they  haue  bin 
yet  well  discouered  :  by  i-eason  of  those  Rocks  the  Country  is  natiu-ally  very 
strong,  for  there  is  but  two  j^l^ces,  and  scare  two,  vnlesse  to  them  who 
know  them  well,  where  shipping  may  safely  come  in,  and  those  now  are 
exceeding  well  fortified,  but  within  is  roome  to  entertaine  a  royall  Fleet  : 
the  Rocks  in  most  jilat'cs  appeare  at  a  low  water,  neither  are  they  much 
couered  at  a  high,  for  it  ebbs  and  flowes  not  past  fine  foot." 

"How  these  lies  came  by  the  name  of  Bernuidas,  or  the  infinite  number 
of  blacke  Hogs,  or  so  fearefull  to  the  world,  that  many  called  them  the  He  of 
Deuils,  that  all  men  did  shun  as  Hell  and  perdition  ;  I  will  not  expostulate, 
nor  trouble  your  patiences  with  those  vncertaine  antiquities  further  then 
thus  ;  our  men  found  divers  crosses,  peeces  of  Spanish  monies  here  and 
there.  Two  or  three  wracks  also  they  found,  by  certaine  inscriptions  to  bee 
some  Spanish,  some  Dutch,  some  French  ;  but  the  greatest  rumour  is,  that  a 
Spanish  ship  called  Bermudas  was  there  cast  away,  carrying  Hogges  to  the 
West-Indies  that  swam  a  shore,  and  there  increased  :  how  the  Spaniards 
escajjed  is  vncertaine  :  but  they  say,  from  that  ship  those  lies  were  first 
called  Bermudas,  which  till  then  for  six  thousand  yeares  had  beene  namelesse. 
But  the  first  English-man  that  was  euer  in  them,  wa?  one  Henry  May,  a 
worthy  Mariner  that  went  with  Captaine  Lancaster  to  the  East-Indies  loOl," 
who,  on  their  return,  were,  on  the  seventeenth  of  the  following  December, 
"cast  away  vjjon  the  Xorth-west  of  the  Bermudas." 

"  You  haue  heard,  that  when  Captaine  Smith  was  Gouernor  of  Vir- 
ginia, there  were  nine  ships  sent  with  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  and  Sir  George 
Somers,  and  Captaine  Nuport  with  fine  hundi'ed  peojjle,  to  take  in  the  old 
Commission,  and  rectifie  a  new  gouernment  :  they  set  saile  in  May,  and  in 
the  height  of  thirty  degrees  of  Northerly  latitude,  they  were  taken  with  an 
extreme  storme,  or  rather  a  part  of  Hericano,  vpon  the  fine  and  twentieth 
of  luly,  which  as  they  write,  did  not  onely  separate  them  from  the  Fleet,  but 
with  the  violent  working  of  the  Seas,  their  ship  became  so  shaken,  torne  and 
leake,  she  receiued  so  much  water  as  couered  two  tire  of  Hogsheads  aboue 
tlie  ballace,  that  they  stood  vp  to  the  middles,  with  Buckets,  Baricos,  and 
Kettles,  to  baile  out  the  water.  Thus  bailing  and  pumping  three  dales  and 
three  nights  without  intermission,  and  yet  the  water  seemed  rather  to  increase 
then  diminish.  *  *  That  Sir  George  Somers  all  this  time  sitting  vpon  the 
poupe,  scarce  taking  leisure  to  eat  nor  sleepe,  couing  the  ship  to  keepe  her  as 


THK    SOMMEK   ISLANDS.  13 

v|)ri<i:ht  as  he  could,  otherwaios  sin-  must  lon<>'  ere  that  needs  haue  foundered, 
most  wishedly  and  happily  descried  land  ;  *  *  not  long  it  was  before  they 
strucke  vpon  a  roeke,  till  a  surg'e  of  the  sea  cast  her  from  thence,  and  so 
iViiin  oiu-  to  another,  till  most  luc-kily  at  last  so  vpright  betwixt  two,  as  if  she 
liad  bceiic  in  tlie  stocks;  *  *  they  vnshipped  all  their  ^i^oods,  victuall,  and 
persons  into  their  Boats,  and  with  extreme  icy,  euen  almost  to  amazednesse, 
arriued  in  safetie,  though  more  then  a  league  from  the  shore,  witliout  the 
l(_)sse  of  a  man  ;  yet  were  they  in  all  one  hundred  and  tiftie:  *  *  and  they 
found  it  the  richest,  healthfullcst  and  pleasantest  they  euer  saw,  as  is  for- 
merly said." 

"At  their  first  hunting  A)r  hogs  they  found  such  abundance,  they  killed 
32  and  this  hunting  and  fishing  was  appointed  to  Captaine  Robert  Walsing- 
ham,  and  Mr.  Henry  Shelly  for  the  company  in  general  :  they  i-e])oi't  they 
killed  at  least  500  besides  Pigs,  and  that  many  were  killed  by  diners  others; 
for  the  birds  in  their  seasons,  the  facility  to  make  their  cabens  of  Palmeta 
leaues,  caused  many  of  them  vtterly  forget  or  desire  euer  to  rcturne  from 
thence,  they  lined  in  such  plenty,  peace  and  ease."  Captain  Smith  jocosely 
says,  "You  may  plainly  see  no  place  knowne  hath  better  walls  nor  a  broadtT 
ditch." 

"  But  hauing  finished  and  rigged  their  two  new  Cedar  ships  with  such 
prouisions  they  saued  from  the  Sea-aduenturer  they  left  amongst  the  Rocks, 
they  called  the  one  the  Patience,  the  other  the  Deliuerance,  *  *  they  set 
saile  the  tenth  of  May  IGIO,  onely  leauing  two  men  behinde  them." 

"Lord  Laware  *  *  vnderstanding  what  i)lenty  there  was  of  hogs  and 
other  good  things  in  the  Bermudas,  was  desirous  to  send  thither  to  supjjly 
his  necessary  occasions  ;  whereuj)on  Sir  George  Summers,  the  best  ac(juainted 
with  the  place,  whose  noble  minde  euer  regarded  a  genei-all  good  more  then 
his  owne  ends,  though  a])nue  threescore  yeeres  of  age,  and  iiad  Miciuus  in 
p]ngland  sutable  to  his  ranke,  offered  hiniselfe  by  (Jods  hclpc  to  |)iTruiine 
this  dangerous  voyage  againc  i\>v  the  Bermudas,  which  was  kindly  accc|)lc(l, 
so  vpon  the  1!).  of  lune  he  inibarked  in  his  Cedar  ship,  about  the  hiirtlicH 
of  thirty  tuniics,  and  so  set    saile." 

"Much  Ibnle  and  crosse  weatlu'r  he  liad,  and  was  forced  to  the  Xortii  |)ai"(s 
of  ^'irginia,  where  refreshing  hiniselfe  vpon  this  vnknowne  coast,  lie  ronld  not 
l)ce  diucrtcd  iVoni  the  search  of  the  liei'inudas,  where  at  last  with  his  coinpany 
he  safely  arriued  :  *  *  In  that  very  place  which  we  now  call  Saint  (ieorges 
towne,  this  noble    Knight    died,  whereof  the   place  taketh   the   name.       Hut    his 


14  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

men  *  *  einl)alined  his  body  and  set  saile  for  England,  being  the  first  that 
euer  went  to  seeke  those  Hands,  which  haue  beene  euer  since  called  Summers 
lies,  in  honour  of  his  worthy  memory.  *  *  This  Cedar  ship  at  last  with 
his  dead  body  arriued  at  Whit-Church  in  Dorsetshire,  where  by  his  friends  he 
was  honourably  buried,  with  many  voUies  of  shot,  and  the  rites  of  a  Souldier, 
and  vpon  his  tombe  was  bestowed  this  Epitaph.     In  English  thus  : 

"Alas    Virginia's  Sinnmer  so  sootie  jxfst, 
Autumne  succeeds  and  stormij    IMnters  blast. 
Yet  Englauds  ioyfiill  Sprimj  n-ith   ioyfidl  showers, 
O  Florida,  s/iall  hriiKj  thi/  sircctcst  Jloicers." 

"N^ow  yon  are  to  vnderstand,  that  Captaine  Matthew  Somers,  N^ephew 
and  heire  to  Sir  Geoi-ge,  that  returned  with  his  dead  body,  though  both  he 
and  his  Company  did  their  vtmost  in  relating  all  those  passages  to  their 
Countrey-men  and  aduenturers,  their  relations  were  beleeued  but  as  trauellers 
tales,  till  it  came  to  be  apprehended  by  some  of  the  Virginia  Company,  how 
beneficiall  it  might  l)e,  and  helpfull  to  the  Plantation  in  Virginia,  so  that 
some  one  hundred  and  twentie  of  them  bought  the  pretended  right  of  all  the 
Company,  and  had  sent  this  ship  to  make  a  triall  ;  but  first  they  had  oli- 
tained  Letters  Patents  of  the  Kings  most  excellent  Maiestie.  Sir  Thomas 
Sniith  was  elected  Treasurer  and  Gouernour  heere,  and  Master  liichard  More 
to  be  Gouernour  of  the  lies  and  Colony  there." 

"Master  More  *  *  so  presently  landed  his  goods  and  sixty  persons 
towards  the  beginning  of  luly  1G12,  vpon  the  South  side  of  Smiths  lie." 

Governor  More  was  succeeded  in  1615,  according  to  Smith,  by  six 
Governors,  who  were  to  rule  one  month  each,  alternately,  although  but  four 
are  named  by  him  as  having  occujjied  that  position,  viz  :  Charles  Caldicot, 
John  ]SIansfield,  Christopher  Carter,  and  Miles  Kendall. 

•''  The  next  newes  that  happened  in  this  time  of  ease,  was,  that  a  merry 
fellow  hauing  found  some  few  Dollars  against  the  Flemish  wracke,  the  bruit 
went  currant  the  treasure  was  found,  and  they  all  made  men.  Much  adoe 
there  was  to  preuent  the  purloining  of  it,  before  they  had  it  :  where  after 
they  had  tyred  themselues  with  searching,  that  they  found,  amounted  not  to 
al)Oue  twenty  pounds  starling,  which  is  not  vnlike  but  to  be  the  remainder 
of  some  greater  store,  washed  from  some  wracke  not  farre  from  the  shore." 

After  many  troubles  under  the  rule  of  the  several  Governors,  choice  was 


SOMMEH    ISLANDS.  J.") 

made    of  "Master    Danii'l    Tucknr,   tlial    a    lonj^-    time    liad    hiii    a    plantci-    in 
A^rgiiiia  in  the   <>"()ueninient  of  ('aptaiiu'  Sniitli." 

"Aljout  tlie  niistd  oi"  Mav  (l(jl(>)  arriiicd  this  Goiiernoi',  \viii-i\-  liiuliiiL;-  the 
Iiihal)itants  both  abhorring;-  all  exacted  hdiour,  as  also  in  a  manner  dis(hiining 
and  grudging  much  to  l)e  connnandcMJ  bv  iiiui  ;  it  could  not  but  j)assionate 
any  man  Huing.  But  at  hist  according  to  tlie  A'irginia  oi'dei-,  bee  set  euerv 
one  was  with  him  at  Saint  Georges,  to  his  taske,  to  cleere  grounds,  fell  trees, 
set  corne,  square  timber,  plant  vines  and  other  fruits  brought  out  of  England. 
These  by  their  taske  Masters  by  breake  a  day  repaired  to  the  whai-fe,  from 
thence  to  be  imployed  to  the  place  of  their  ini])loyment,  till  nine  of  the  cloeke, 
and  then  in  the  after-noone  from  three  till  Sunne-set.  Beside  meat,  drinke 
and  cloaths,  they  had  for  a  time  a  certaine  kinde  of  brasse  money  \\lth  a 
hogge  on  the  one  side,  in  memory  of  the  abundance  of  hogges  was  found 
at  their  first  landing." 

Richard  Sanders,  with  four  others,  having  built  a  boat  of  three  tons,  in 
Avhich  to  make  their  escape  from  the  tyranny  of  the  Governor,  after  several 
weeks  of  buffeting  anwmg  the  waves,  and  having  nearly  destroyed  their  little 
vessel  foi-  firewood,  finally  landed  in  Ireland.  In  tlie  woids  of  Smith,  '^  This 
fortunate  Sanders  going  to  the  East  Indies,  in  the  rifling  some  ships  there 
tooke,  it  was  his  chance  to  buy  an  old  chest,  for  three  or  foure  shillings, 
but  because  it  wanted  a  key  hee  repented  his  bargaine,  and  would  gladlv 
haue  sold  it  againe  for  lesse.  A  certaine  time  it  lay  tossed  to  and  fro  as  a 
thing  hee  little  regarded,  but  at  last  hauing  little  to  doe,  hee  broke  it  open, 
where  he  found  a  thousand  pounds  starling,  or  so  nindi  gold  as  bought  liini 
in  England  a  good  estate,  whicli  Kauing  with  his  wife  he  rclurntMJ  againe 
to  the  East   Indies." 

(Jovcrnor  Tuckar  being  much  disliked,  and  niucli  trouble  arising  there- 
from, be  returned  to  England,  leaving  JNIiles  Kendall  in  authority  as  his 
deputy.  Kendall  seems  to  have  been  much  liked,  bnl  he  was,  in  October, 
1G19,  sjicceeded  by  Captain  Kathaniel  r>u!  Ici-,  w  ho  airixcd  on  tlie  tweulielli 
day  of  that  month, —  a  vei-y  energetic  (Jovenioi-.  ('aptain  Smith  wiites  that 
he  "Finding  accidentally  a  little  crosse  erected  in  a  by  place,  amongst  a 
many  of  bushes,  vnderstanding  tliei'c  was  l)uried  the  heart  and  inlrailes  of 
Sir  George  Summers,  bee  resolueil  lo  \r<uw  a  better  memory  Ibr  so  woi'tln  a 
Souldier,  then  that.  So  finding  also  a  great  ^farble  stone  brought  out  of 
England,  hee  caused  it  by  Masons  to  bee  wrought  hamlsoiuelv  ami  laid  oner 
the    place,   whieli    liee    iuuii'oued   with    a   scpiare   wall    oi'   hew  en    stone,   Touilie 


16  THE   EARLY   COESTS    OF   AMERICA. 

like  ;    wherein  he  caused  to  bee  grauen   this  Epitaph  he  had  composed,  and 
fixed  it  vpon  the  Marble  stone  ;    and  thus  it  was, 

In  the  yeere     16     1     1, 

Noble  Sir  George  Suinmers  went  hence  to  heauen  ; 

Whoxe  well  trPd  worth  that  held  him  still  imploid, 

Gaue  him  the  knowledge  of  the  world  so  wide. 

Hence  H  was  by  heauens  decree,  that  to  this  place 

He  brought  new  guests,  and  name  to  mutiuill  grace. 

At  last  his  soule  and  body  being  to  part. 

He  here  bequentKd  his  entrails  and  his  heart.'''' 

At  the  expiration  of  his  rule,  in  1621,  Gov.  Butler  left  the  government 
of  these  islands  in  charge  of  Captains  Felget  and  Stokes,  and  Masters  Hewes, 
Xedom,  and  Ginner.  In  1G22  John  Bernard  arrived,  who  lived  only  six 
weeks,  when  both  he  and  his  wife  died  so  nearly  at  the  same  time  that  both 
were  buried  in  one  grave  and  on  the  same  day. 

Master  John  Harrison  was  then  chosen  as  Governor  until  orders  should 
come  fi'om  England.  He  was  ruling  in  1623,  at  which  time  Captain  Smith 
thus  dismisses  the  subject  :  "It  is  too  true,  in  the  absence  of  the  noble 
Treasurer,  Sir  Edward  Sackvill,  now  Earle  of  Dorset,  there  haue  beene  such 
complaints  betwixt  the  Planters  and  the  Compau},  that  by  command  the 
Lords  appointed  Sir  Thomas  Smith  againe  Treasurer,  that  since  then  accord- 
ing to  their  order  of  Court  he  is  also  elected,  where  now  we  must  leaue 
them  all  to  their  good  fortune  and  successe,  till  we  hear  further  of  their 
fortunate  proceedings." 

It  is  to  these  islands  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  earliest  coinage  which 
can  be  considered  as  intended  for  America. 

History  has  preserved  for  us  but  the  most  meagre  account  of  this  first 
coinage  struck  in  Europe  for  her  possessions  in  the  ^ew  World,  —  one 
only,  and  that  simply  Smith's  passing  notice  of  the  former  use  and  partial 
description  of  this  coin,  can  we  glean  from  her  pages  ;  and  the  all-devouring 
tooth  of  Time  has  spared  us  but  few  sjiecimens  from  which  to  determine 
with  what  legends  and  devices  it  was  embellished. 

Three  of  the  Shillings  and  one  Sixpence  are  all  now  known  to  the  numis- 
matic world  of  the  coinage  struck  for  the  "  Sommer  Islands  ; "  and  no  records 
exist  for  our  instruction  as  to  its  precise  date,  by  whom  coined,  or  the  circum- 
stances iinder  whieh  it  was  issued  or  obtained  a  currency. 


SOJtfMER   ISLANDS.  17 

Smith  informs  us  that  "Master  Daniol  Tuckar"  arrived  at  the  islands 
about  the  middle  of  May,  161G  ;  and  he  leaves  it  to  bi'  inferred  that  it  was 
under  the  rule  of  this  Governor  that  "Beside  meat,  drinke  and  eloaths, 
they  had  for  a  time  a  eertaine  kinde  of  brasse  money  with  a  hogge  on  the 
one  side,  in  memory  of  the  abundanee  of  hogges  was  found  at  their  first 
landing." 

Governor  Tuekar's  rule  was  for  about  two  years  ;  thus,  if  the  inference  be 
correct,  the  currency  of  these  coins  must  have  commenced  between  May, 
1616,  and  1619,  and  it  could  not  have  been  of  long  continuance,  as  in  1624 
it  is  recorded  as  an  event  of  the  past. 

These  coins  have  been  considered  as  medals,  struck  in  commemoration 
of  some  event  of  interest  relating  to  these  islands  ;  but  the  recent  discovery 
of  a  similar  coin,  of  half  the  size  and  value  of  those  before  knowTi,  sets  at 
rest  all  speculation  ujion  that  point,  and  is  sufficient,  even  in  the  absence 
of  Capt.  Smith's  assertion  that  they  were  "  mone}',"  to  prove  that  they  were 
intended  to  serve  the  purposes  of  coin,  even  though  they  may  have  been 
issued  without  the  authority  requisite  to  legalize  their  currency,  and  thus 
entitle  them  to  be  denominated  coins. 

SHILLING. 

01)V.  a  hog,  standing,  fac-ing  left,  above  which  are  the  Koman  luuiu'rals 
XII,  the  whole  sun'oiuided  by  a  beaded  circle.  Legend:  s«)MMEK-¥- islands -^^ 
around  which  is  a  circle  similar  to  that  enclosing  the  device. 

Rev.  A  full-rigged  ship,  under  sail,  to  the  left,  with  a  Hag  flying  from 
each  of  her  four  masts.  The  c-ii'dc  ai-ouud  it  is  composed  of  larger  beads 
than  those  upon  the  obverse. 

Copper  ;    size  19  ;    weight,  177  grains. 

fl'hllc    I,   Ki.L'.   1.] 


But  two  ()('  these  pieces  are  kiiowu  to  us,  one  of  which  is  in  tlie  collec- 
tion of  Williaui  S.  Appleton,  Es(j.,  of  Boston,  and  the  other  has  I'ecently  come 
into  the  j)ossession  of  the  writei-.  The  latter  piece  was  found,  a  few  yi'ars 
since,  in  a  bag  of  old  coppers  consiilered  as  of  very  little  value,  and  bought, 
without  knowledge  of  its  rarity,  by  a  junk  dealer  in  Xew  York  ;  but.  Ixiug 
discovered  by  a  collector,  was  (juickly  rescued  from  its  obscurity,  and  has 
now   i'ouiid   its  way   to  its  present   resting-place. 


18  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 


SIXPE^^CE. 

The    design  of  the    Sixpence  is   similar  to  that  of  the    Shilhng,  but   has 

the  numerals  VI  over  the  hog.     Legend  :  SOM  mer  •!•  ila  nds  ^ 

Size  17. 

[Plate  I,  Fig.  2.] 

The  only  known  specimen  of  the  Sixpence  was  found,  some  twenty  years 
since,  in  a  garden  upon  one  of  the  Bermuda  Islands,  (the  island  of  St.  George, 
if  we  mistake  not,)  and  is  now  owned  by  Benjamin  Betts,  Esq.,  of  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  through  whose  kindness  our  illustration  of  it  is  obtained. 

These  coins  have  been  supposed  to  be  made  of  brass,  because  of  the  term 
"  brasse  money,"  applied  to  them  b}*  Capt.  Smith,  who  used  that  exiiression  in 
accordance  with  the  custom,  common  in  early  days,  of  giving  that  name  to 
copper,  or  its  alloys,  without  proper  discrimination. 

In  illustration  of  this  use  of  the  word,  we  find  written  in  the  Scripture, 
"A  land  whose  stones  are  iron,  and  out  of  whose  hills  thou  mayest  dig  brass;" 
"  Provide  neither  gold,  nor  silver,  nor  brass  in  your  purses." 

A  fact  pertinent  to  this  subject  is  that  the  Eoman  copper  coins  are  still 
known  as  "first  brass,"  "second  brass,"  or  "third  brass,"  according  to  their 
sizes. 


VIRGINIA 


.Vlthouj^h  in  llir  cbai'tcr  granted  l)y  Kiiijj;-  James  to  A'irjiiiiia,  April  lOtli, 
1(K)G,  the  i'i;j;lit  of  cdiuiiig  money  was  specified  as  one  of  llie  ])rivile_i>X's 
conveyed  thereliy.  this  privi]e<>X'  does  not  a|)|)ear  to  lia\'e  been  taken  advan- 
tage of  by  tlie  (-(ilonists,  and  no  di^positiMU  to  exei'cise  that  I'ight  seems  to 
have  been  manifested  until  the  passage  of"  the  act  of  ^OvemlxT,  KiJo.  \\hleh 
will   be  given   in   its  jji-ojicr  place. 

Section  X  (if  tlic  charter  ref'eri'ed  to  i-uns  tlnis':  '^\nd  tiiat  they  shall, 
or  lawi'idly  may.  estabhsh  anil  cause  1<>  be  made  a  cdin,  to  pass  cui-rciil  there 
between  the  ])e(iple  oi'  tliose  several  cdlonies,  for  the  more  easi"  of  traliic  and 
barg'aining  lictwccu  and  amongst  them  and  tlie  nati\cs  thei'c,  of  such  metal, 
and  in  such  manner  and  form,  as  the  said  sevei'al  (  "ouncils  there  >.hall  limit 
and    a|ipoint."* 

In  iclalion  to  the  financial  condition  of  A'irginia,  dni-ing  the  early  years 
of  lur  colonial  e\i>lenee,  \vi'  can  furnish  no  inlonnation  mor<'  reliable  than 
that  eontained  in  the  "Sketch  of  the  Early  Cnrreney  in  Marylan<l  and  \'ir- 
ginia," -■  by  S.  F.  Sti-ei'tcr,  read  before  the  Historical  Society  of  Mai-yland.  lie 
says  : 

"^\t  the  time  of  the  scttrnncnl  of  Maryland,  the  Yii'gininn'-  had  already 
begim  to  feel  the  iiii-oii\cnicnce  of  thus  i'cl\ing  upon  an  arlidr  of  lluctnating 
and    diminishing    value    as    currency  ;     and    in  August,   Ki;);!,  the    assembly  of 


'Liu-ns's  Cli.-utiTN  i>r  llic  DM    l';iiL;li>li  ( 'oliMiics,  p.  5.  -i li^liuicnl   .M;iu:i/.iiic,  vol.  ii.  \>.  Jl!. 


20  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMEKICA. 

that  Colony  passed  a  law  requu-ing  all  contracts,  bargains,  pleas,  and  judgments 
to  be  made  in  money,  and  not  in  tobacco,  since  the  exclusive  use  of  the 
latter  'had  bied  many  inconveniences  in  trade,  and  occasioned  many  troubles, 
as  well  to  the  merchants  as  the  planters  and  inhal)itants  among  themselves.' 

"  In  January,  1640,  '  tobacco,  by  reason  of  excessive  quantities  made,'  had 
become  so  cheap,  that  it  was  decided  to  biu'ii  all  the  bad  and  half  the  good 
tobacco  in  the  country  ;  require  all  creditors  to  take  forty  pounds  in  the 
hiuidred,  and  to  demand  for  all  tobacco  made  during  the  year  one  shilling 
per  pound,  and  two  shillings  for  the  next  year's  crop.  These  measiues,  how- 
ever, do  not  apjjcar  to  have  increased  the  quantity  of  specie  in  circulation, 
for  the  next  yeai-  a  law  was  ])asstd  making  money  debts  not  recoverable 
or  pleadable,  on  accoimt  of  the  '  manie  and  gi'cat  inconveniences  which  do 
dayly  arise  by  dealing  for  nionie.'  In  March,  l(i43,  'for  the  encouragement 
of  the  owners  of  horses,  mares,  or  shccpe,'  an  exception  was  made  in  their 
favor,  and  they  were  allowed  to  require  and  receive  cash  for  the  sale  of  those 
animals. 

"At  the  same  session  Avas  confimud  an  agreement  which  had  been  made 
with  the  Governor  of  Mai'vland,  on  the  tliiid  of  June,  1642,  allowing  the 
I^eople  of  the  two  colonies  to  trade  or  barti-i-  for  all  kinds  of  commodities 
raised  within  their  respective  territories,  (seiwants  and  goods  imported,  and 
horses,  mares,  and  sheep  excepted,)  provided  tobacco  Avas  not  used  as  a 
medium  of  exchange  ;  yet  the  last  act  of  this  assembly  brought  the  circidating 
medimn  nearer  to  that  approjjriate  for  a  primitive  condition  of  society  than 
had  l)een  recognized  since  the  establishment  of  the  colony.  The  troubles  in 
England  between  Charles  the  First  and  his  Parliament  had  cut  oft'  the  sup- 
plies of  Sir  William  Berkeley,  his  majesty's  Govei-nor,  and  a  levy  was  there- 
fore made  of  two  shillings  a  head  on  every  tithable  pei'son  in  the  colony,  to 
be  paid  in  provisions,  at  fixed  rates.  Among  these  Avere  'corn  at  10s.  per 
barrel  ;  wheat  at  4s.  per  bushel  ;  beef  at  3^d.  per  lb.;  good  hens  at  12d. ; 
capons  at  Is.  6d. ;  calves  at  six  weeks  old,  2os. ;  butter  at  8d.  per  lb.; 
good  weather  goats  at  20s. ;  piggs  to  roast  at  three  weeks  old,  at  3s.  per 
pigg  ;  cheese  at  6d.  per  lb. ;  and  geese,  turkeys,  and  kidds  at  5s.  per  peece.' 
These  articles  Avere  deposited  at  places  apjxunted,  and  transported  in  boats 
to  James  City,  Avhere  they  were  deijosited  in  the  GoA'ernor's  grand  larder  or 
treasury.  About  the  same  period  taA'ern-keepers  were  by  laAv  forbidden  to  take 
more  than  ten  pounds  of  tobacco  for  a  meal,  and  to  sell  any  Avines  or  strong 
liquor,  excepting   strong   beer,  for  which    they  were   allowed  to  charge  'eight 


VIRGINIA.  21 

lbs.  of  tiihaccn  ])f'r  gallon,  and  no  moro  ;  and  ratably  Cor  sniallci'  (juaiitities.' 
The  tuunage  duties  upon  vi'ssels  arriving-  at  this  time  were  payable  in  powder 
and  shot,  'one  halfc  pound  of  powder  2)er  every  tunne  burthen,  and  three 
pound  of  leaden  shott,  or  lead.' " 

Thus  feeling  the  necessity  of  some  more  convenient  medium  of  exchange, 
the  following  act^  was  passed  at  a  session  begun  in  James  City,  November 
20,  1645  : 

"Act.  XX.  The  Governor,  Council  and  Burgesses  of  this  present  Grand 
Assembly  having  maturely  weighed  &  considered  how  advantageous  a  cpioine 
current  would  be  to  this  collony,  and  the  great  wants  and  misei'ii's  which  do 
daily  happen  vnto  it  by  the  sole  dependency  vpon  tob'o,  hare  at  loKjth  resolved 
and  enacted,  and  he  it  hy  the  authoritie  aforesaid  enacted  as  the  onely  way  to 
procure  the  said  quoine  and  prevent  the  further  miseries.  That  all  ])eeces  of 
Eight  in  Spanish  money  be  valued  and  taken  in  jjayment,  att  the  rate  of  sixe 
shillings  and  all  other  Sjianish  silver  (juoines  propoi-tionably  which  shall  be 
brought  into  the  collony-  :  And  whereas  it  is  conceived  that  the  said  (juoine 
will  not  continue  with  vs  vnless  we  have  a  leger  quoine,  Thei-efoi-e  serious 
consideration  had  of  the  many  wayes  tending  to  that  ell'ect,  It  was  at  length 
generally  allowed.  That  a  quoine  of  copper  would  be  the  most  Ix  lulicial  to 
and  with  most  ease  procured  by  the  collony.  And  that  after  i^i-oclamation 
made  by  the  Governour  and  Council  that  all  person  or  persons  within  this 
collony  whether  merchants  or  others  do  desist  or  leave  olf  tradeing  for  tob'o 
vpon  the  penaltie  and  forfeiture  of  the  thing  so  bought  or  sold,  '^^I'he  one 
moyetie  whereof  shall  be  and  come  to  the  informer,  and  the  othei'  to  the 
benefit  of  the  state. 

"The  quoine  to  be  erected  after  this  manner,  10000  lb.  of  coj)j)er  to  be 
bought  l)y  the  publique  at  the  rate  of  18d  per  11).  \\hich  amounts  to  £750 
sterl.  which  to  be  paid  in  tolVo.  at  the  rate  of  Id.  1-2  per  11).  120000  of  tob'o. 
which  being  collected  per  pole  accounting  5000  persons  in  this  collony  it 
comes  to  24  lb.  of  tob'o  per  pole  every  pound  of  coppci-  to  make  20s.  and  to 
allow  lor  the  mintage  12d.  per  pound  soe  there  will  i-emaine  X'J).500  sterl. 
'V\\v  mintage  allowed  and  deducted.  The  stocke  to  be  Equallie  divided  amono-st 
the  adventurei-s  to  be  (juoined  in  two  pences,  three  peuces,  sixe  pences  and 
nine  pences.     And  if  it  siiall  happen  at  any  time  hereafter  that  the  aforesaid 

''Thr    (ii'ii:iM:il   111'    lliis   Acl    is  in    llic    I.ilirMry   dI'    Congress,   W:i.sliini4loM,   1).  ('.,  ami   we   are 
iiiiirlitrcj   to  ('.  I.  Uiisliiii'll,  I'-s(|.,  lor  (iiir  ciij);'   of  it. 


22  THE    EAKLY    COIXS    OF    AMERICA. 

(|U()iiie  be  called  in  and  become  not  currant,  Yet  the  i-epublique  shall  make 
good  the  quantity  of  so  much  (vizt.)  £'10(K)()  to  be  levied  per  pole,  And  that 
it  may  be  provided  that  this  quoine  may  not  be  counterfeited  and  brought 
in,  Besides  the  inflicting  of  cai)itall  punishment  vpon  these  who  shall  be  found 
delinquents  therein,  That  v])pon  every  peece  of  coyne  there  be  two  rings,  The 
one  for  the  motto.  The  other  to  receave  a  new  impression  which  shall  be 
stampted  yearly  with  some  new  thgure,  by  one  appointed  for  that  jjurpose  in 
I'acli  coinity.  And  that  the  hon'ble.  Sir  William  Berkeley,  Knt.  Gov'r,  shall  have 
the  disposall  and  placing  of  such  and  soe  mauie  officers  as  shall  be  neces- 
sarilye  required  for  performing  and  tinishmg  the  aforesaid  service,  Onely  Capt. 
•lohn  Upton  is  hereby  confirmed  Mint  Master  Generall  :  Wee  reposing  nnich 
confidence  in  his  care,  ability  and  trust  for  the  [)ei'forinance  of  the  said  office." 

This  act  ])robably  was  nevei-  i)ut  in  execution,  as,  liad  it  been,  we  should 
doubtless  have  some  of  its  results  preserved  among  our  luunismatic  treasures. 
Mr.  Streeter  I'emarks  upon  it  : 

"  AVhether  it  was  ever  carried  into  elfet-t  we  are  not  informed  ;  but  if  it 
was,  the  conflicting  legislatioii,  the  various  expedients,  and  the  depressed  con- 
dition of  tlie  colony  in  after  years,  show  that  the  new  issue  neither  supplied 
the  place  of  tobacco,  nor  met  all  tlie  wants  of  the  coinnuuiity  for  purposes 
of  convenience  and  traffic." 

"The  legislature  of  Virginia  |  in  l(J4r)J  ])roliil)ited  dealing  by  barter,  and 
established  the  Spanish  piece  of  eight  at  six  shillings,  as  the  standard  of 
currency  for  that  colony."' 

In  l();jo  "the  Virginian  legislature  changed  the  Spanish  piece  of  eight 
from  six  shillings,  and  established  it  at  five  shillings  sterling,  as  the  standard 
of  its  euri'ency."" 

Oldinixon,  in  his  History,^  says  of  trade  in  Virginia,  "  Tho  the  common 
way  of  Ti-a flick  there  is  by  Barter  or  Exchange  of  one  Commodity  for  anothei-, 
or  of  any  for  Tobacco  ;  yet  there  is  some  Silver  Coins,  English  and  Spanish, 
and  were  much  more,  till  tlu'  lowering  of  the  Value  tem])ted  People  to  export 
the  Coin  to  the  other  Plantations,  where  it  went  for  more  than  it  did  in 
Virgin  i((. 

"The  Chief  of  their  Coins  are  either  Gold  of  the  Stamji  oi"  Arn/>ia,  or 
Silver  and  Gold  of  the  Stamp  of  /Spanish  America,  or  English  Money.  There's 
very  little  of  either  kind  to  be  seen  in  this  Country  for  the  Reasons  above- 
mention'd. 

'Holmes's  Aincncan  Annals,  vol.  i.,  p.  336.         ^Ibid,  \>.  366.         •'Qijjj^jxon,  vol.  i.,  p.  315. 


viKciMA.  i*;5 

'■The  ( nivrniinciit;  riMiiicl  alioiit  il.  (iltcn  i-aisinu"  the  \'alin'  -il"  tlu'  Coin, 
is  the  Cause  that  \'irf/iaia  is  (h-aiiiM  ol'  th  ■  liltlc  il  has.  And  'tis  impossible 
to  pivvcnl  tlii-^  Tncrinvonicn'-e,  imlr--;  all  tli'  Ci)lonics  on  tlu'  Continent  wi'i-e 
ohligM  i(p  have  one  and  the  same  Standard  I'of  their  Coin,  whieli  tliefe  have 
hitel}^  been  some  attempts  made  to  effect,  tho  without  the  Success  that  was 
expected   and   (h'>ir"d. 

"The  Scar>-ilv  ni"  ^[oncy  is  surh  in  this  Plantation,  that  (JentK'inen  can 
liaidly  g-et  onougli  I'or  Travelling  Charges,  or  to  pay  Labourers  and  Trades- 
meiis  Wages.  It  oecasions  also  the  eomnieneing-  many  vexatiinis  Suits  fur 
Dei)t,  wiiieh  in'   tiiis   in:>ans  are  eontraeted. 

"The  A'alue  dl'  the  several  Coins  that   are  there,  is  as  follows  : 

£  .>.■.  (7. 

The  Spaiiisli  ]).)iil)lt'  D.>ut)lon,  03  10  00 

The  Doul)li)n,  consequently,  01  Ifi  nil 

Tiie  Pistole,  00  17  Od 

Arahutii  riicfiuins,  Oo  Id  ()() 

Pieces  of  Kiidit,  (exci'iit  of   /'(ri>,)  wcinliinn-  10  inuny  \\\'i_i;lit.  Oil  U,"!  dO 

Fiviuli  Crowns,  00  05  00 

Fern  Pieces  of  Kiolit,  .-md  Dutch  Dollavs,  00  04  00 
And  all  Euglisii  Coin  as  it  goes  in  England.'''' 

Old  nix  )n'  fnrlhi'r  informs  n-  lliil  in  lUTll  "Tiie  AssiMuhK  taking  into 
C«msideratii>n  their  L  )ss  l)y  lowering  tli-ir  (  "oiti.  which  had  oceasionM 
the  Country's  being  almost  draiuM  of  il  1)\  l]\|iorlion  to  Places  where  it 
])ast  for  nioi-e  than  il  did  in  ]'! i-ijiirn,  or.lerM  a  l>ill  to  be  brought  in  lor 
raising  it. 

"The  Govenionr  inlerp  )sing  in  the  mallei-,  told  them,  it  was  the  King's 
Prerogative  to  allei-  the  N^aliie  of  the  Coin,  and  the  Prerogative  l)eing  intrusted 
with  him,  he  wouM  do  it  liy  Pi-oelamation.  The  As-,einbly  dni->i  noi  oppose 
such  an  .\rgnmen1.  Those  were  not  times  lo  dispnle  the  Prerogatix c  Ko\al: 
si)  the   ( iovernour's    Resisons    were  allowM    and   the    .\ct    (lro|)t. 

"His  Loi'dship  (Colpepper.)  having  gaiuM  his  Point,  privately  bought 
ii|i  all  the  light  Pieces  of  I'jght  he  could  get,  at  ."is.  the  Piece;  and  then 
pill  I'orlli  a  Proclamalion,  to  raise  the  \'alue  of  them  to  (i  Shillings  :  lie  soon 
alter  prodncM    an   ()i'dei-t'>   pa  ,   an  I  disband    the    K*''gimenl    llial    had    bi'cii    sent 

l\'ol.  i.,  |..  -J.")!!. 


24  THE    EARLY    COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

over  by  Sir  John  Berry;    and  accordingly  he  paid  them  off  with  those  Pieces 
at  6  s.  a  piece  ;    and  they  were  forc'd  to  take  them  at  that  rate. 

"  This  Lord  however  found  very  great  Inconveniencies  by  his  raising  the 
Coin,  as  well  on  account  of  his  own  Sallary,  his  Duty  on  Ships,  as  of  the 
King's  Taxes,  which  were  paid  in  Pieces  of  Eight  at  6  s.  a  piece  :  The  loss 
was  like  to  be  more  than  his  Gain,  by  injuring  the  poor  Soldiers." 


MASSACHUSETTS 


SILVER    CURRENCY. 


Before  entering  upon  the  records  of  the  laws  for  the  esta1)lishment  and 
government  of  the  silver  mint  of  Massachusetts,  it  may  not  be  unprofitable 
briefly  to  consider  the  straits  to  which  the  colonists  were  reduced  for  want 
of  a  convenient  medium  of  exchange,  and  the  laws  passed  by  them,  for  the 
regulation  of  such  as  appeared  to  them  most  available,  amongst  the  many 
materials  which  were  presented  for  their  consideration. 

The  use  of  furs,  grain,  and  fish'  for  purposes  of  exchange,  and  the  pay- 
ment of  private  debts,  as  well  as  taxes,  had  existed  from  the  first  settlement 
of  the  country  ;  but  the  earliest  attempt  made  to  establish  a  currency,  if  we 
may  except  the  fixing  of  a  certain  value,  by  the  General  Court,  upon  these, 
as  well  as  cattle  and  some  other  commodities,  which  may  in  some  measure 
entitle  them  to  the  name  of  currency,  they  being  current  by  legal  enactment, 
was  the  adoption  of  the  shell  money,  or  wampum,  of  the  Indians,  which  was 


'In  lyiarblcluMil,  sonic  lime  atro,  whili'  Siiiiior  lUil/.  \v;is  <;iviiii;  pcrloiiiiMiiccs,  a  largo  iiunilx'r 
of  |M-o|ilr  who  wcri'  sliort  of  (|ii:ii"lt'rs  )i:iiil  fortlicir  ailtiiission  in  tisli.  Tlic  iccciiils  in  this  cur- 
rc'iK'y,  on  one  occasion,  anionntcd  to  twenty  dollars.  In  some  jiarts  of  IVIcxicii  pieces  of  soa])  pass 
in  cxcliantre  for  mercliamiise,  as  a  sulistitute  for  a  hetter  currency.  In  Iowa  territory,  in  1840, 
till'  niarrias^e  fee  was  tliri'e  goat  skins  or  four  busliels  of  sweet  potatoes.  In  llic  hack  settle, 
ments  of  Oregon  the  only  money  consiste(l  of  live  stoc^k  eiirreiicy.  A  liog  was  one  dollar;  a 
sheep,  fifty  cents  ;  turkeys  twenty-five  cents  cadi  ;  and  a  puji,  twelve-and-a-half  cents  ;  so  if  A 
owed  H  four  dollars  and  ninepeiicc  he  sent  liiin  five  hogs,  and  received  as  change  one  sheep, 
one   turkey,  and   a   juip. 


26  TIIK    EARLY    COINS    OF    AIMERICA. 

first  brought  by  the  Dntc-h  from  Manhadoes,  in  1G27,  and  the  regulation  of  tlie 
trade  therein,  and  of  its  value,  which,  as  well  as  that  of  the  various  other 
materials  serving  the  same  purpose,  was  changed  from  time  to  time,  as  the 
demands  of  trade  seemed  to  indicate  a  necessity  therefor. 

Although  wampum  may  lie  said  to  have  been  the  first  adopted,  the  first 
legislation  ujion  the  subject  of  a  small  cnrrency  was  that  of  March  4th,  ]<>:!;?,' 
here  following  :  ''It  is  ordered  that  hereafter  farthings  shall  not  i)asse  for 
currant  pay. — 

"It  is  likewise  ordered,  that  nuiskett  l)ulletts  of  a  full  boare  shall  [jasse 
currantly  for  a  fbrthing  apeece,  provided  that  noe  man  be  compelled  to  take 
above  xii''  att  a  tyme  in  them." 

The  pui'pose  of  this  order  may  have  been  to  compel  a  more  thoi-ough 
distribution  of  the  munitions  of  Avar,  wliicli,  at  that  time,  were  lia])le  to  be 
called  into  requisition  at  a  moment's  Avai'uing,  rather  than  a  desire  to  drive 
from  circulation  the  small  brass  or  cojijier  coins  of  English  oi-igin,  which  must 
have  formed  a  much  more  agreeable  medium  of  exchange  than  the  bulk}^  and 
inconvenient  substitute  here  authoi'izt'd. 

The  first  record  we  lind  I'elating  to  tlu'  value  of  wainpuiii  is  date(l  Xo- 
vember  l.lth,  l(i;}7.-  "  Tt  was  ordered  that  AVampampege  should  passe  at  (i  a 
penny  for  any  suiTie  vnder  12':"  On  the  7th  of  October,  Ki-tO,''  "It  is  oi'dered 
that  white  Wampampege  shall  passe  at  4  a  penny  &  blewe  at  2  a  penny,  & 
not  above  12''  at  a  time  except  the  receiver  desire  more."  June  2d,  1()41,"' 
"It  is  ordered  that  Wamiiampege  shall  passe  curi-ant  at  ()  a  penny  for  any 
sufne  under  10'  for  del)ts  lu'areafter  to  bee  made."  On  the  27th  of  Septelnber 
1642,'  "  It  was  ordered  that  for  tjie  payment  of  the  rate  (w'''  is  to  bee  paid 
the  nynth  month)  wheate,  &  l)ar]ey  shall  passe  at  4  slf  the  l)ushell,  rye,  & 
pease  at  S'^  4''  the  bushell  ;  Indian  corne  at  2''  6''  the  bushell  in  these  at  these 
prices,  or  in  beaver  money,  or  wampam  pay  is  to  bee  made." 

The  following  fragment  of  an  order,  changing  the  amount  as  fixed  l)v  tliat 
last  coi)ied,  is  at  the  foot  of  ])age  o(i,  volume  ii,  the  lower  part  of  which  is 
worn  off,  Avith  the  most  important  ])art  of  the  order  :  Oct.  17,  1643,  "Whereas 
hy   a    former  oi-der,   men   were    ordered    in    debts  to   accept  Wampam  to  the 


I3r;iss;iclnist'tts  IJcoords,  vul.  i,,  ]i.  IfJS.  Tlic  (|iiiit:iti<>iis  from  these  Ivcconls  are  fnini  the 
originals,  1ml  the  corresjHuidiny  [layes  ran  he  t'ciuiicl  in  the  printed  Keeords  by  the  starred 
page  nund)ers  on   their  margins. 

s.^Iass.  Urcm-ds,  i.  204  ;  ^i.  '287  ;  ^l.  308  ;  ^ii.  22. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  27 

valewe  of  10',  it  is  now  ordered  it  shall  passe:  but  to  the  value  of tlic 

remainder  is  inissinf;;'. 

On  the  liltli  of  October,  1048,'  "It  is  voted  for  tryaU,  untill  llie  nexl  (Jo'^te 
that  all  pasable  or  payable  peage  hencefoi'th  shalbe  intire  w"'out  l)reaches, 
both  the  white,  &  black,  w"'out  deforming  spots'  sutaljly  strung,  in  eight  knowne 
peels  the  penny  3".  12"  5'  in  white  the  2".  6"  2^''  &  1(>  in  l)laek."  Under 
the  same  date  an  act  was  passed  by  both  Houses,  conferring  upon  ferrymen 
certain  privileges.  We  here  give  the  i-eeord  of  the  vote  of  the  House  of  Dep- 
uties :-  "  Vppon  the  petition  of  ft'rauncis  Hudson  &  James  Heydon  farmours 
of  Charlstowne  ferry  wherein  they  expresse  there  desirs  that  some  Course 
may  be  taken  to  fJvent  passengers  disorderly  pi'essingc  into  Jioats  &  escapinge 
out  of  them  without  paying  thoii-  Cai-c  ptending  Jhat  they  haue  nothinge  to 
pay  or  tliat  they  are  on  the  countryes  servier  It  is  ordred  tliat  troiii  licnce- 
fortli  it  slialbe  Lawfull  for  any  ferriman  to  deniaund  &  receiue  his  due  before 
liis  lioate  puts  olf  from  shore  nor  shall  he  be  bound  to  passe  oner  anv  that 
shall  not  giue  satisfaction,  &  any  ferr}-  man  may  Kefuse  any  wamj)om  not 
strunged  or  vnmerchantable  &  such  j)sons  whether  horse  or  foot  which  are 
passage  free  by  order  of  Court  must  shew  somthing  sufficient  i'oi'  tiieire 
discharg  or  else  nmst  pay  as  others  doe,  except  magistrates  &  deputies  who 
are  generally  knowne  to  be  ffree."  In  the  same  body  it  was,  May  4th,  1049,'' 
"Voted:  that  ])eage  shall  still  liemayne  passal)le  irom  man  to  man  acording- 
to  the  lawe  in  force  ;"  but  under  date  of  May  16,  !()4!>,' the  Deputies  passed 
an  order,  whicii  had  been  on  the  2d  of  that  month  passed  l»y  tiie  Magistrates,* 
to  this  effect  :  "  Itt  is  Ordered  that  it  shall  not  i)c  in  tlic  lilxitv  of  an\ 
Tonne  oi'  pson  to  pay  |)cage  to  the  ('oiintry  rate,  nor  shall  the  Treasurer 
accept  thereof  irom  time  to  time." 

Under  date  of  October  18,  KJoO,''  (though  i)rohal)ly  the  correct  date  was 
(October  2(3th,  it  being  the  last  record  of  the  session,  which  was  dissolved  on 
that  day,)  "Itt  is  Ordered  that  wamj)am  peage  ffift'teene  dajes  alter  this  ]iresent 
sessions.of  Couilc  shall  j)asse  Currant  in  pajment  of  (lel)ts  to  tiie  \allew  oC 
forty  shillings  the  white,  at  eight  a  penny  ;  and  the  blaeke  at  fower  so  as 
they  be  entire  without  breaches  or  deforming  spotts  except  in  pajment  of 
Couutrje  I'ates  to  the  Treasurer  wliieli  no  'i\>wne  nor  person  may  doe  nor  he 
accept  thereof  from  time  to  time:"  wliiU:  in  Kibl,' May  22d,  the  law  relating 
to  wamjjum  was  repealed    in  these  words  :    "on  observation  of   much  Incon- 

»Mass.  Records,  ii.  p.  222  ;  ^iii.  j,.  IGO  ;  ^iii.  p.  218  ;  *\u.  \<.  233  ;  ^ii.  |..  237  ;  «iv.  p.  32  ;  ^iv.  p.  369. 


28  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   A^fERICA. 

venience  of  the  lawe  for  payment  of  forty  shillings  in  wampampeage,  in 
sattisfaction  of  debts  &  pajanents  except  to  the  Tresurer,  page  78,  It  is 
ordered  by  this  Court  &  the  Authoritje  there  of  that  the  sajd  lawe  be 
henceforth  Repealed."  Later  tli.Tn  this  we  learn  nothing  more  from  the 
records  relating  to  wami^mn  as  a  currency,  although  it  is  said  to  have  been 
in  use  among  the  people  until  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war,^  and  is 
still,  as  well  as  some  kinds  of  shells  in  their  natural  state,  used  among  some 
of  the  Indian  tribes  remaining  in  the  land.  In  fact,  samples  of  wampum  can 
to  this  day  be  obtained  from  the  Penobscot  and  other  friendly  Indians. 

Strings  of  wampum  were  also  used  by  the  Indians  as  necklaces  and 
bracelets.  And  another  kind,  made  in  wide  bands,  and  composed  of  various 
materials,  were  generally  worn  by  the  belles  of  the  tribes.  Sometimes  a  young 
brave  would  receive  one  of  these  ornaments  as  a  gift  from  his  betrothed, 
and  wear  it  as  an  amulet,  in  the  firm  belief  of  its  power  to  protect  the  wearer 
from  all  danger.  A  modern  poet  has  made  this  tradition  the  subject  of  his 
verses,  and  thus  a  dusky  maiden  sings  to  her  warrior  lover  : 

"Brave  son  of  a  chieftain!    beloved  Cherokee! 
This  token  of  wampum  is  woven  for  thee  ! 
A  token  to  flutter  and  shine  on  thy  breast, — 
My  bravest  and  biightest,  my  wisest  and  best ! 

'Tis  woven  witli  coral,  with  lieads,  and  with  shells  ; 
It  shall  lie  on  thy  V>reast  the  most  potent  of  spells, 
To  save  thee  from  ambush,  to  shield  thee  from  harm. 
To  quicken  thy  sight,  and  give  strength  to  thine  arm."^ 

Wampum  also  served  another  purpose,  as  important  as  its  other  uses. 
This  was  when,  usually  in  the  fonn  of  belts,  it  was  given  as  a  pledge  of 
friendship,  in  ratification  of  treaties,  or  to  establish  friendly  relations  in  their 
preliminary  stages. 

We  find  it  frequently  mentioned  in  the  Documents  relating  to  the  Colo- 
nial Histoiy  of  A^ew  York,  as  "strings  of  wampum,"  "belts  of  wampum," 
"  a  large  black  belt,"  "  a  large  covenant  belt,"  "  a  belt  black  wampum,"  "  a 
belt  of  invitation;"  and  an  Indian  says,  in  presenting,  "a  prodigious  large 
belt." 

"Be  attentive  to  what  we  now  propose.     *     *     Look  upon  this  Belt  as 

1  Drake's  Hist.  Boston,  p.  326.         ^  £    Sargent,  Jr. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  29 

a  pledge  of  our  inviolable  attachment  to  you,  and  of  our  unshaken  resolution 
of  joining  you  in  all  your  measures." 

This  belt  had  wrought  into  it  a  figure  of  the  sun,  as  an  emblem  of  light, 
to  signify  that  their  eyes  were  opened  to  the  true  light,  and  that  they  were 
convinced  of  the  truths  of  all  things  then  proposed. 

In  addition  to  the  articles  already  enumerated,  boards  and  catlU',  wliich 
latter  included  horses,  sheep,  swine,  goats,  and  "ases,"  formed  no  sukiII  pai-t 
of  the  circulating  medium,  a  mixture  which  shoiUd  have  liirnished  a  \ariety 
sufficient  to  satisf}^  the  demands  of  the  most  exacting. 

To  show  the  source  whence  nuich  of  the  silver  whicli  afterwards  I'ound 
its  way  to  the  mint,  flowed  hither,  as  well  as  the  eifect  of  the  financial  dis- 
turbances of  the  j)eriod,  we  quote  some  passages  from  Winthrop's  flournal.' 
August  27th,  1039  :  "Here  came  a  small  bark  from  the  West  Indies,  one 
Capt.  Jackson  in  her,  with  commission  from  the  Westminstei-  company  to  take 
prize,  etc.,  from  the  Spaniard.  Tie  bi-ought  much  wealth  in  money,  plate, 
indico  and  sugar." 

^October,  1640,  "  The  scarcity  of  money  made  a  great  change  in  all  com- 
merce. Merchants  would  sell  no  wai'cs  hut  for  ready  money,  nn'u  could  not 
pay  their  debts  though  they  had  enough,  |)riccs  of  lands  and  cattle  fell  soon 
to  the  one  half  and  less,  yea  to  a  third,  and  after  one  fourth  ])art."  AMn- 
thro[)  relates  that'  "The  wars  in  England  kept  servants  from  coming  to  us, 
so  as  those  we  had  could  not  be  hired,  when  their  times  were  out,  but  upon 
unreasonable  terms,  and  we  found  it  verv  difficult  to  ])ay  their  wages  to  their 
content  (for  money  was  very  scarce).  I  may  upon  this  occasion  report  a 
passage  between  one  of  Kowley  and  his  servant.  The  master,  I)eing  forced 
to  si'll  a  pail-  of  his  oxen  to  ])ay  his  servant  his  wages,  told  his  servant  he 
could  keep  him  no  longer,  not  knowing  how  to  ])ay  him  next  year.  The 
servant  answei'ed,  he  would  sei've  him  for  more  of  his  cattle.  But  how  shall 
I  do  (saith  the  master)  when  all  my  cattle  are  gone  V  The  servant  replied, 
you  shall   tluii  serve  me,  and  so  you  may   havi'  your  cattle  again." 

'i'lie  first  action  taken  by  the  (Jeneral  Court  lor  iixiiig  the  value  of 
foreign  coin,  ap|)ears  iu  the  following  extract  from  the  Records,'  inider  ilate 
of  September  27th,  Hi  12:  "This  Co't  considring  the  oft  occasions  wee  have 
of  trading  w"'  the  hollaiKiei's  at  the  Dutcli  plantation  &:  otherwise  ;  do 
therefore    ortler    that    the    lioUand    ducalour    being    worth    IJ    gilders    shalbee 

'\Viiilhr(>i.",s  .Iduiiial,  vol.  i.  |i.  ;JG'.»  ;  -vol.  ii.  |i.  'Jl  ;  ''vol.  ii.  y.  ■Jd'.t.      '  llrconls,  vol.  ii.  Y\t.  '23-'J4. 


HO  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

currant  at  G'*  in  all  pajint*  w"'in  o"^  iurisdiction,  &  the  rix  doller  Ijeing  2| 
gilclrs  shalbee  likewise  currant  at  5?  &  the  ryall  of  8:  shalbee  also  cui-rant 
at  5^" 

The  old  English  coins  laiown  as  Xobles^  and  Marks^  were  also  sometimes 
made  use  of,  at  least  by  name,  as  we  find  in  the  records,  October  18th,  1G45,' 
that  "  The  Coirtc  being  often  trouljled  w"'  y^  suits  of  pticide''  psons,  doe  o''de'' 
y'  m''  Smith  shall  pay  twenty  nobles  for  ye  defraying  ye  chardge  of  ye  Courte 
in  v"  liearing  of  his  Cawse  ;"  and  entered  as  the  same  date,^  "Itt  is  o''dered 
\'  m'  Ilawson  shalllie  allowed  out  of  the  treasury  the  soine  of  twenty  markes 
for  the  se^'ice  he  hath  donnc  in  keeping  &  transcribing  the  records  of  the 
Howse  of  Deputs  for  the  time  past."  Also,  in  1690,  "  The  Magistrates  Ordered 
that  the  Said  Tho''  Hawkins  pay  Twenty  marks  in  Monej'  for  the  Charges 
of  His  Prosecution  and  Impi'isonment." "' 

Still  the  scarcity  of  money  proved  detrimental  to  business  in  every  depart- 
ment ;  and  though  this  mixed  currency  passed  ver^"  well  for  a  time,  and  served 
the  purposes  of  trade  between  the  colonists  and  the  Indian  tribes,  yet,  for 
the  reasons  that  much  of  it  had  no  real  intrinsic  value,  and  that  no  method 
was  provided  for  the  redemption  of  that  which  was  otherwise  valueless,  as 
well  as  the  perishable  nature  of  many,  and  the  difficulty  of  transporting  most 
of  the  articles  which  it  comprised,  it  rapidly  disappeared  before  the  intiux  of 
Spanish,  English,  and  Dutch  money,  obtained  by  trade  with  the  West  Indies 
and  with  the  mother  country. 

This  influx  of  the  various  foreign  moneys,  after  a  time,  becoming  burden- 
some on  account  of  the  large  amount  of  base  and  counterfeit  coin  found 
among-st  it,  as  well  as  In'  reason  of  the  confusion  incident  upon  the  use  of 
coins  of  so  many  differing  standards,  of  value,  occasioned  the  issue  of  a 
l)rinted  order,  by  the  General  Court,  for  its  alleviation.  Although  no  copy  of 
this  order  is  known  to  be  now  in  existence,  it  was,  beyond  a  doul)t,  as  will 
1)6  seen  by  the  reference  to  it  in  the  preface  to  the  act  of  May  1^,  1(352,  for 
the  purpose  of  authorizing  the  appointment  of  some  person  or  persons,  whose 
duty  it  should  be  to  examine  and  test  the  quality  and  worth  of  the  foi-eign 
moneys  in  circulation,  and  to  stamp  upon  each  ])iece  its  ])roper  value, 
according  to  some  uniform  standard,  probably  sterling.  This  preface  was  not 
consented  to  l\y  the  deputies,  but  its  omission  was  made  one  of  the  conditions 
of  their  consent  to  the  remainder  of  the  bill.     The  preface  referred  to  was  as 

'A  gold  coin  of   about  $1.61.         ^A  gold  coin  of  about  3.22.  ^  Reoords,  vol.  iii.  \>.  50  ; 

'  vol.  iii.  p.  61  ;  ■'' Pnivincial   liccords.  Council  &  Court,  vol.  6.  p.  118. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  'M 

follows  :  "tforasmiieli  as  the  new  oidcr  alioiit  mony  is  not  well  Resented'  In 
the  2)eople  and  full  of  diffieultjes,  and  vnlikclj  to  take  effeet  in  i('i;-ai-d  i;o 
psons  are  found  willing-  to  tiy  and  stanipe  the  same." 

The  j)riiited  order  mentioned  in  the  aet  last  referred  to,  is  the  lirst  l('t;i>- 
lation  of  the  Xew  England  eolonies,  regarding  eoinage,  ol'  which  we  liavc 
l)een  able  to  hud  any  traec'  ;  and  it  is  tlic  earliest  known  auliiority  for  the 
affixing  of  a  stamp  u])on  foreign  coin  as  a  token  of  its  acceptance  oi-  t'ndorsc- 
ment  l)v  tlic  colonies,  in  lieu  of  a  coinage  of  their  own  ;  l)n1  on  account  (»^. 
its  faihuv  to  eifect  the  ol)jects  aimed  at.  tliey  Aveiv  sof)n  com])elled  to  resoil 
to  tlic  estabHshment  of  a   mint. 

How  much  earlier  than  the  passage  of  the  act  of  May  ji",  Mw'2,  the  printed 
or(U'r  was  j)assed,  it  is  imi)ossi]>le  to  say,  as  that  act  contains  tlie  only  rcfc'- 
enee  we  lind  thereto.  It  is  ])robabIe,  however,  that  not  many  months  wert 
suflered  to  pass  in  misuecessful  elforts  to  find  "  psons  willing  to  try  &  stam]'c 
the  same,"  the  necessities  of  the  colonists  rendering  it  im])ei-ati\c  tliat  some 
plan  be  resorted  to  which  should  induce  a  supply  of  coin,  and  that  witii  tl,< 
least  ])ossible  delay. 

In  relation  to  the  causes  which  led  t(j  the  estalilishment  of  the  mint,  mix'. 
the  appointment  of  its  otRcers,  we  have  John  ITulfs  own  statement,  as  written 
In  his  Diary.'-  He  says  "Also  upon  occasion  of  mueh  counterfeit  coin  l)r()ug-hl 
ill  the  country,  and  mueh  loss  accruing  in  that  respect  (and  that  did  occasioi. 
a   stoj)page  of  trade),  the  General  Court  ordered  a  mint  to  be  set   up,  and  \v 


•'{"lie   use   (if    tlic    uiird   rt'xoitci/,   tticii    used   in   tlic   sense   of    f:ivoi;i1ily    received,    is   ;ili|in>liri- 

utely   illuslrated    in    llie    life   (if    Mr.  .lolm    Wilson,   < t;inied    in    >I;itlier's   .M:i<,ni:ili:l,  Ms   follows: 

"  i\[rs.  WiNon  liciiiu;  thus  |pers\v;uled  over  into  the  dirticiilties  of  nn  American  desart,  I  ha\( 
heard  that  ler  kinsman,  old  Mr.  Dod,  for  her  consolation  under  those  ditliciilties,  did  send  hei 
a   ])resent,  witli   an   ad\ice,  which   had   in   it   sotnetliing  of  cxriosity. 

"He  sent  her,  at  the  s.iini'  lime,  a  lirass  couDti  i\  a  silver  crof//,  and  a  LCold  Jafihiis  ;  all  oi 
ihcm  severally  \\  ia|i|n'd  up;  uilh  this  instruction  unto  the  <j;entlemau  who  carried  it  :  that  Ic 
should  lii'^l  of  all  ihTiM'r  only  the  counter,  and  if  she  rcci'ived  it  with  any  show  of  discontent 
he  should  then  take  no  furlher  notice  of  her;  hut  if  she  gratefully  resented  that  small  thiiiLr 
for  the  sake  of  tlu'  hand  il  came  from,  he  sliotlld  tlien  go  on  to  cleliver  the  s!lrii\  and  so  to 
Ihe  ,'/"/'/.■  hut  uilhall  assure  hi-r,  -'rhat  such  would  \<v  the  dispcnsal  ion  of  Cod  iinlo  her,  and 
\\\v  other  t;<io,i  |H-o|ilc  of  Xew-l'aigland  :  if  they  would  he  content,  and  thankful  with  sui-J! 
little  things  as  Cod  holowcl  iijiou  them,  they  shoidd.  in  time  liavc  silver  and  gold  eiiongl  .' 
Mrs.  Wilson  accordingly,  hy  her  ihecifiil  enl irtainuiciil  of  the  least  rememliranco  from  pood 
old  ^fr.  Dod,  gav<'  the  geiillenian  oeeasion  to  go  through  with  his  whole  iirescut,  and  the 
annexed   advice  ;    whi<'h   hath    in   a    gooi]    measure   heeii   aecom|ilished." 

-Coll.    .\mer.    .\ntii|.  Soc.  Mil.  iii.  p.  14;'). 


'd'2  THE    EARLY    COINS   OF    AMERICA. 

coin  it,  bringing  it  to  the  sterling  standard  for  fineness,  and  for  weight  every 
shining  to  be  three  pennyweight  ;  i.  e.,  9d.  at  5s  per  oz.  And  they  made 
choice  of  me  for  that  employment  ;  and  I  chose  my  friend,  Kobert  Sanderson, 
to  be  my  partner,  to  which  the  Court  consented." 

Hutchinson'  gives  a  short  account  of  this  mint,  which  agrees  substantially 
with  the  above.  He  says  :  "  The  trade  of  the  province  increasing,  especially 
with  the  West-Indies,  where  the  bucaneers  or  pirates  at  this  time  were 
numerous,  and  part  of  the  wealth  which  they  took  from  the  Spaniards  as 
well  as  what  was  produced  by  the  trade  being  brought  to  Xew-England  in 
bullion,  it  was  thought  necessary,  for  preventing  fraud  in  money,  to  erect  a 
mint  for  coining  shillings,  six-penees  and  three-pences,  with  no  other  impression 
at  first  than  X  E  on  the  one  side,  and  XII.  VI.  or  III.  on  the  other  ;  but 
in  October  1G51"  the  court  ordered  that  all  pieces  of  money  should  have  a 
double  ring  with  this  inscrij^tion,  Massachusetts  and  a  tree  in  the  centre  on 
one  side,  and  Xew-Exglaxd  and  the  year  of  our  Lord  on  the  other  side." 

"  The  first  money  being  struck  in  1652,  the  same  date  was  continued  upon 
all  that  was  struck  for  thirty  years  after  ;  and  although  there  are  a  great 
variety  of  dies,  it  cannot  now  be  determined  in  what  years  the  pieces  were 
coined.  Xo  other  colony  ever  presumed  to  coin  any  metal  into  money.  It 
must  be  considered  that  at  this  time  4here  was  no  King  in  Israel.  Xo 
notice  was  taken  of  it  by  the  ])arliament  or  by  Cromwell  ;  and  having  been 
thus  indulged,  there  was  a  tacit  allowance  of  it  afterwards  even  by  King 
Charles  II.  for  more  than  twenty  years  ;  and  although  it  was  made  one  of 
the  charges  against  the  colony  when  the  charter  was  called  in  question,  yet 
no  great  stress  Avas  laid  upon  it.  It  appeared  to  have  been  so  beneficial, 
that  during  Sir  Edmund  Andros's  administration  endeavours  were  used  to 
obtain  leave  for  continuing  it,  and  the  objections  against  it  seem  not  to 
have  proceeded  from  its  being  an  encroachment  upon  the  prerogative,  for 
the  motion  was  referred  to  the  master  of  the  mint,  and  the  rejjort  against  it 
was  upon  mere  prudential  considerations.  It  is  certain  that  great  care  was 
taken  to  preserve  the  purity  of  the  coin.  I  do  not  find,  notwithstanding, 
that  it  obtained  a  currency  anywhei'e,  otherwise  than  as  bullion,  except  in  the 
Xew-England  colonies.  A  very  large  sum  was  coined.  The  mint  master, 
John  Hull,  raised  a  large  fortune  from  it.  He  was  to  coin  the  money  of 
the  just  alloy  of  the  then  new  sterling  English  money  ;    and   for  all  charges 

1  Hist.  Mass.  3d  ed.  vol.  i.  ]i.  1G4.    ^  Evidently  an  errt)r  in  the  date.    See  Hist.  Mag.  vol.  iii.  ji.  197. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  33 

which  sliouM  attend  melting,  refining,  and  coining,  he  was  to  l)e  allowt'd  to 
take  fifteen  pence  out  of  every  twenty  shillings.  The  Court  were  aftei-wards 
sensible  that  this  was  too  advantageous  a  contract,  and  INfr.  Hull  was  oilei'ed 
a  sum  of  money  by  the  coni-t  to  release  them  fi-om  it,'  l)iit  he  refused  to 
do  it.  He  left  a  lai'ge  personal  estate,  and  one  of  the  best  real  estates  in 
the  country.  Samuel  Sewall,  who  married  his  only  daughtei-,  received  with  hri\ 
as  was  commonly  reported,  thirty  thousand  pounds  in  JSTew-England  shillings. 
'He  was  the  son  of  a  poor  woman,  but  dutiful  to  and  tender  of  his  mother, 
which  Mr.  Wilson  his  minister  observing,  pronounced  that  God  would  bless 
him,  and  although  he  was  then  poor  yet  he  should  raise  a  great  estate."" 

The  earliest  document  known  to  us,  relating  to  this  mint,  is  the   oi'iginal' 
draught  of  the  act  already  referred  to,  comprising  the  minutes  of  the  secretary, 
and  showing  the  erasures  and  alterations    made  therein   during  its  discussion 
by  the  two  houses. 

This  is  the  only  record  known  (if  we  except  the  co]>ies  of  it  upon  the 
records  of  the  General  Court,)  making  the  slightest  reference  to  any  action 
whatever  relating  to  coinage,  as  having  been  previously  taken  or  proposed. 

It  will  be  seen  tliat  the  last  clause  of  this  act  is  (or  repealing  of  the 
"all  other  orders  concerning  the  valuation  or  coyning  of  money.'"  This  was 
probably  merely  for  the  sake  of  form,  or  ri'ferring  to  tlie  pi-inted  ordei-,  which 
may  have  been  considered  as  coining  ;  but  that  clause,  whatever  its  intention, 
was  considered  of  so  little  iuiportance  as  to  have  Ix-en  omitted  from  the 
records  of  the  House  of  ]\ragistrates,  which  constituted  the  law  of  the  colony, 
nor  is  it  to  be  I'ouud   in  the   |)i'inte(l   book   of  laws,  issued  in    KJfiO. 

In  order  to  sliow  more  distinctly  the  changes  made  in  this  act,  as  well 
as  the  peculiar  style  of  chirography  of  that  d.ay,  we  present  a  fac  simile  of 
the  draught,  copied  from  the  oi-iginal  document  by  the  hi'liot>^)e  process. 
That  the  reader  may  be  assisted  in  deciphering  the  anti(pie  style  of  writing 
in  which  it  a|)])ears,  we  present  a  transcript  of  this  document  on  the  next  two 
pages,  and  immediately  opposite  each  page  will  be  Ibund  the  corresponding 
parts  of  the  original. 

'  We  find  nothinfT  to  prove  this.  On  tlie  contrary,  the  contract  was  rc]ieaterlly  renewed 
upDii  nearly  tlie  same  terms.  The  Heconls  show,  however,  tliat  in  1660,  a  <-oininittee  was  ap- 
pointed to  treat  wilh  thf  tiiiiit  masters  Mini  iiiiliice  tliiiii  to  |i;iv  a  /xnni.i  out  nt'  their  profits. 
They  offered  ten  pounds  as  a  ;/'//,  hut  would  then  aj^ri'e  t"  iicilliiui;  further;  hut  in  KJli" 
they  agreed  to  pay  into  the  ])ul)lic  treasury  the  sum  of  forty  ]iouiiils,  and  yearly  thereafter, 
for  seven  years,  ten   ]ioumi1s.     These   Iraiisactions  w  ill    lie   I'ourid,  at    IniLrth,  at    their  jiropiT  dates. 


;»4  THE   EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

llic  erasures  in  the  original  are  designated  in  this  transcript  by  italics.    Some  doubtful  punctuation  marks  are  omitted.] 

"J^'on(fi//iuch  as  the  tiew  order  about  niony  is  not  well  Resented  by  the  people 
and  full  of  dijp'ndtjcs^  and  vnlikcli/  to  tciA'e  effect  in  ref/ard  no  pso7is  are  found 
irillinij  til  try  ct  stampe  the  same,  the  sajd   Order  is  Hepeuled. 
TIk'  C'duitt'  llioreforc  Onk'it'th  &  enactutli  that  the  p'^inted  orde'  about 

Seaxienth  month 
1  luouy  shall   ho  in  foire  vntill  the  first  oi ^^July  iie.vt  and  no  longer 

'■I  '>That   from  and  After  the  first  of  Septenibe'^  next  the  mony  lieere 

after  Ai)ointed  it   expressed  shall  be  tlie  C'nrrant   niony  of  tliis  Conum 
vnless  English  &  consent  therevnto 

wealth  and  no  other,  ^^  (except  it  be  at  the  Keceivers  AcAo/><*e).  In  pu'"suance 
of  the  Intent  of  tliis  Courte  lieerein  Bee  it  further  Acted  Ordered 
&  enacted  by  the  Authority  of  this  Court  ;   That  all  persons  wliat 
soeuer  have  liberty  to  bring  in  vnto  the  mint  howse  at  Boston  all 
Imlljon  plate  or  Spannish   Cojne  there  to  be  melted   cfc  brought  to  the 
allay  of  sterling  Silver  l)y  John  Hull  master  of  the  sajd  mint  and  his 
sworne  officers,  &  by  him  to  be  Cojneil  nito  12'':    6"':    &   3'^    j)eeces  which 
shall  be  for  forme  tt"  tlatt  it  square  on  the  sides  &  stamped  on  the  one 
side  with  N  E  it  on  the  other  side  w""  the  figure  wV^  \i^   &  iii''  = 

accoriling  to  the  valew  of 

peeces  irhich  shall  bee  each  jieece,  together  with  a  privy  marke  ^^ 

which  shall  be   .Vppointed  euery  three  months  bv  the  Gouerno''  it   known 

only  to  him  it  the  sworne  officers  of  the  mint. 

'4       And  further  the  sajd  master  of  the  mint  aforesajd  is  heereby  Required 

new 

to  cojne  all  the  sajd  mony  of  good  Silver  of  the  Just  allay  of  ^i sterling  Englisli 

two 
mony,  it   for  valew  to  stampe  three  pence  in  a  shilling  of  lesser  vallcw 

4:  then   the  p'^sent  English   Cojne   it   the  lesser  jieeces  ))''oportionably  :  And 

all  Such  Cojne  as  aforesajd  shall  be  acknowledged  to  be  the  Currant  Cojne 

of  this  Comonwcalth  it  passe  from  man  to  man  in   all  pajments  accordingly 

within  this  Jurisdiction  only. 
fi  .Vnd  the  mint  master  for  himselfe  it   officers  for  their  i)ajnes  it   labour  in 

melting  Hetining  it   Coyning  is  Allowed  by  this  Courte  to  take  one  shilling 

.</,'•  pence  out  of  euery  twenty  shillings  which  lie  shall  stampe  as  aforesajd 

(i         And  It  shall  be  in  the  liberty  of  any  pson  who  brings  into  the  mint  howse 

be  prsent  & 

any  bullion  plate  vr  Spannish  Cojne  as  aforesajd  to  ^  see  the  same  melted  Refined 
it  Allajed,  it  then  to  take  a  receipt  of  the  master  of  the  mint  for  the  = 
weight  of  that  wliich  is  good  Silver  allajed  as  afforesajd,  for  which  the 

in  currant  money. 

mint  master  shall  deliuer  him  the  like  weighty  viz.  euery  shilling 

to  troj : 

weigh//(j/  the  three  penny  ^  weight  &  lesser  peeces  proportionably.  deducting 
Allowance  for  Cojnage  as  before  exp'^ssed  :    ^Vnd  that  this  Order  being 
of  So  great  Concernment  may  not  in  any  pticular  thereof  fall  to  the 
ground  Itt  is  further  Ordered  that  m''  Richard  Bellingham  m' 
willjam  Hibbens,  the  p^'sent  Secretary,  Capt.  John  Leueret  it  mr  Thomas 
Clarke  be  a  Comittee  appointed  by  this  Court  to  Appointe  the  mint  howse 
in  some  Convenjent  place  in  Boston,  to  Give  John  Hull  master  of  the 
mint  the  oath  suiteable  to  his  place.  And  to  Approove  of  all  other 


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MASSACHUSETTS.  35 

officers  mill   ilftciniiiu'   \vli:it    i'l>  sliall    A|i|>cari'   tu   tlu'in   as 

iK'Cossaryly   to   lie   iIchiik'   lor  the   Cairviiiit   an   i-ml   ol'   tlie 

whole   oilier. 

coiu-erninj;  tjiottcy  Ihe  valuation  or  coynin^r  of  money 
it   That  all   other  orders  ^  past  this  Court  shalhe   repealeil: 

The  nia<;ists  haw    past    this   with    lieferenee  to  the  Consent 

of   their   lirelhereli    the    Depu'-    heereto 

Kilwanl    Kawsoii   Seeiety 

The   Deputyes   Coiisent    hereto   p\iileil   that 

the  ])t'aee  he  left  out  &  yt  in  steatle  of 

*     *     for  Coynugc  be  inserted  1?   only 

w"'  reference  to  the  consent  of  o''  hon""? 

inagists  hereto 

William  Torrey     Cleric. 

The  inagists.  t'onsent  heereto. 

Edward    Kawson   Seerety 

Tt  appears  that  in  the  orig-inal  draught'  of  the  foregouig  act,  a  hir<j:er 
ahowance  for  the  mint  master  was  i^roposed  by  the  JNIag-istrates,  than  the 
Di'i)iities  thought  proper  ;  the  amount  stated  in  the  first  instance  being  one 
shilUng  six  pence,  the  words  "six  pence"  having  been  erascxl  at  Ww  suggestion 
oi'  tlu'  Deputies,  who  retiinicd  tlie  paper  to  the  Magistrates  with  this  addi- 
tion :  "'"The  Deputyes  Consent  hcMvto  pvi(U-d  tliat  the  piaci'  he  U'ft  out  & 
yt  in  steade  of  *  *'"  for  Coynage  be  inserted  I':  only  w'"  relV'reiice  to  the 
consent  of  o""  hon"'  magists  hereto."  These  conditions  were  accech'd  to  by  tiie 
Magistrates,  and  the  bill,  thus  amended,  was  passed,  and   became  a  hiw. 

The  ])receding  document  bearing  no  date,  it  is  k>ft  lor  us  to  ascertain 
that  |)i)iiit    by  the   date  of  its  entry   u|)on  tlie  Court  iveords. 

Two  dates  are  there  given,  in  consequence  of  which  wt'  lia\i'  referred  to 
this  act  by  the  double  date,  May  %  lGr)2  ;  the  first  being  the  date  given 
upon  the  records  of  tbe  House  of  Magistrati's,  the  last,  that  of  the  llt)use  of 
Deputies. 

For.  the  purpose  >>{'  cDiniileteuess  we  copy  both  of  these  records,  altlnKigh 
one  is   nearly  a  repetition   of  thi'  other. 

In  the  preceding  copies  we  have,  in  uider  to  exhibit  tlu'  fashion  of  that 


1  Archives,  vol.  c.  p.  4"2. 

-The  aiuoiint  originally  written  here  has  been  entirely  olilileiated,  for  what  reason  it  is 
iinpossihli'  to  detenniiie  ;  hut  it  is  ]irobable  tliat  it  was  Is.  (5d.,  there  evidently  having  been 
figures  here,  while  in   the   lio.ly   of  ihc  draught    tin'   words   were   written   in   lull. 


36  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

period,  given  the  extracts  from  the  Records  punctuated  as  in  the  originals. 
In  those  which  ensue  we  shall  not  follow  them,  with  exactness,  in  that  respect, 
as  many  of  the  marks  are  apparently  unintentional,  and  tend  to  pervert  the 
meaning,  and  in  some  cases  there  is  almost  an  entire  absence  of  punctuation. 
The  following  is  copied  from  the  Records  of  the  House  of  Magistrates  :  ^ 
"Itt  is  Ordered  and  by  the  Authoritje  of  this  Courte  Enacted  that  the 
printed  Order  about  mony  shall  be  in  force  vntill  the  first  of  September  next 
and  no  longer.  And  that  from  and  after  the  first  of  September  next  the 
mony  heereafter  Appointed  and  expressed  shallbe  the  Currant  mony  of  this 
Coiiionwealth  and  no  other  vnlesse  English  (except  the  Receivers  Consent 
therevnto:)  In  pursuance  of  the  Intent  of  this  Courte  heerein  bee  it  further 
Ordered  and  enacted  by  the  Authoritje  of  this  Courte  That  all  persons  what- 
soeuer  have  libertje  to  bring  in  vnto  the  mint  bowse  at  Boston,  all  bulljon  plate 
or  Spannish  Cojne  there  to  be  melted  and  Ijrought  to  the  allay  of  starling 
silver  by  John  Hull  master  of  the  Sajd  mint  and  his  sworne  officers,  and  by 
him  to  be  Cojned  into  twelve  penny  Six  penny,  and  three  penny  peeces  which 
shallbe  for  forme  flatt  and  square  on  the  sides  and  stamjied  on  the  one  side 
with  N  E  and  on  the  other  side  with  the  figure  xii''  vi''  &  iii  according  to 
the  vak'W  of  each  ])eece,  together  with  a  privy  marke  which  shall  be  Ap- 
pointed euery  three  months,  jjy  the  Gount)'.  and  knowne  only  to  him  and 
the  sworne  officers  of  the  mint.  And  further  the  sajd  master  of  the  mint 
aforesaid  is  heereby  Required  to  Cojne  all  the  sajd  mony  of  good  silver  of 
the  Just  allay  of  new  starling  English  mony  and  for  valew  to  stampe  two 
pence  in  a  shilling  of  lesser  value  then  the  present  English  Cojne  and  the 
lesser  peeces  proportionably.  And  all  such  Cojne  as  aforesajd  shallbe  acknowl- 
edged to  be  the  Currant  Cojne  of  this  Comonwealth  and  passe  from  man  to 
man  in  all  pajments  accordingly  within  this  Jurisdiccon  only.  And  the  mint 
master  for  himselfe  and  officers  for  their  pajnes  and  labour  in  melting  Refjm- 
ing  and  Coynning  is  Allowed  by  this  Courte  to  take  one  shilling  out  of 
euery  twenty  shillings  which  he  shall  stampe  as  aforesajd  and  it  shall  be  in 
the  liberty  of  any  person  who  brings  into  the  minthowse  any  bulljon  Plate  or 
spannish  Cojne  as  Aforesajd  to  be  present  and  see  the  same  melted  Refined 
and  AUajed,  and  then  to  take  a  receipt  of  the  master  of  the  mint  for  the 
weight  of  that  which  is  good  silver  allajed  as  aforesajd  for  which  the  mint- 
master  shall  deliuer  him  the  like  weight  in  Currant  money,  viz :  euery  shilling 

'  liei-oids,  vol.  iv.  p.  81. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  37 

to  weigh  threepenny  troj  weiglit  and  Icssur  poccts  proportionably,  decUicting 
Allowance  foi-  Cojnagc  as  before  expressed.  And  that  this  Order  being  of 
so  great  Concernment  may  not  in  any  pticeular  thereof,  fall  to  the  ground,  Itt 
is  further  Ordered  that  m''  Richard  liellingham  nV  AVilljain  Ilibbens  ni'' 
Edward  Kawson  Capt  Jn"  Leueret,  and  ni"^  Thomas  Clarke  be  a  Comittee 
appointed  by  this  Court,  to  Appoint  the  mint  howse  in  some  Convenjent  place 
in  Boston  to  Give  John  Hull  master  of  the  mint  tlie  oath  suitcablc  to  his 
place,  and  to  Approove  of  all  other  officers  and  dcteruiinc  what  else  shall 
appeare  to  them  as  necessarily  to  ])e  donne  for  tlie  Carrying  an  end  of  the 
whole  order."' 

The  record  upon  the  book  of  the  House  of  Deputies '  is  as  Ibllows  : 
"It  is  Ordred  by  this  Court  &  the  Avithoritic  thereof  that  the  printed 
Order  about  money  shalbe  in  force  vntill  the  first  of  the  seuenth  nio"'  next  &  no 
longer.  And  that  from  &  after  the  first  of  September  next  the  money  hereafter 
appoynted  &  expressed  shalbe  the  Current  money  of  this  Common  wealth  & 
no  other,  vnles  English,  except  the  receiuers  consent  tlu-revnto.  in  |)suance  of 
the  Intent  of  this  court  herein  Be  it  further  Ordretl  &  enacted  by  the 
Authoritie  of  this  court  That  all  ])sons  whatsoeuer  haue  libertie  to  bring  in 
vuto  the  mint  howse  at  Boston  all  Bullion  plate  or  Spanish  Coyne  there  to 
be  nielted  &  brought  to  tlie  Allay  ol'  Sterling  siluer  by  » John  Hull  master  of 
the  sd  mint,  &  his  sworne  officers  &  by  him  to  be  Coyned  into  twelue  pence 
Six  pence  &  three  pence  peeces  which  shalbe  for  forme  fiatt  &  square  on  the 
sides  &  Stamped  on  the  one  side  with  X  E  &  on  the  other  side  with  xii''. 
vi''  &  iii''  according  to  the  value  of  each  peece  together  with  a  priuie  marke 
which  Shalbe  appoynted  euery  three  monethes  by  the  goucrno'  A:  kuowue 
only  to  him  &  the  sworne  officers  of  the  mint,  &  fuilhci'  the  sd  uiaslcr  of 
the  mint  Alforesd  is  hereby  iv(|uired  to  (Joyne  all  the  sd  money  of  good 
siluer  of  the  Just  allay  of  new  Sterling  English  money  &  for  value  to  Stam])e 
two  ])enee  in  a  shilling  of  lesser  valew  then  the  psent  English  Coyne  A:  the 
lesser  pot>ces  p])ortional)le.  .Vnd  all  such  Coyne  as  afi)resd  shall  be  acknowl- 
edged to  be  the  Current  coyne  of  this  coinon  wealth  &  pass  from  man  to 
man  in  all  |)ayin(nts  accordingly  within  this  Jurisdiction  only.  And  the  mint 
master  ioi-  hiinselfe  A:  Officers  lor  tluiie  paynes  &  labour  in  nii'ltinge  relineinge 
&  Coyninge  is  allowed  by  this  court  to  take  one  shillinge  out  of  Kuery 
twenty  shillings  w"^^"  he  shall  stampe  as  attbresd,  &  It  shalbe  in  the  liberty  of 

'  l.'cr.ir.N,  \,,1.  iii.  |,,,.  38-2-:i3:i. 


38  THE    EARLY    COESTS    OF   AMERICA. 

any  pson  who  brings  into  the  mint  howse  any  bnllian  plate  or  Spanish  Cojaie 
as  afforesd  to  be  psent  and  se  the  same  melted  <(•  refined  &  Allayed  &  then 
to  take  a  receit  of  the  master  of  the  mint  for  the  weyght  of  that  which  is 
good  siluer  allayd  as  aforesd,  for  which  the  mint  master  shall  deliner  him 
the  the  like  weight  in  Current  money  viz*,  euery  shilling  to  weigh  three 
penny  Troy  weight  &  lesser  peeces  proportionably  deducting  allowance  for 
coynage  as  before  exprest.  And  that  this  Order  beinge  being  of  so  great 
Concernment  may  not  in  any  perticiiler  thereof  fall  to  the  ground  It  is 
further  Ordi'ed  that  irf  Richard  Belliiigham  m'  W"  Hibl)ens  the  psent  secrity 
CapL  John  Leueritt  &  m"^  Thomas  Clarke  be  a  Coiilittee  appoynted  by  this 
court  to  appoynt  the  mint  howse  in  some  Convenient  place  in  Boston  to 
giue  John  Hull  master  of  the  mint  the  oath  suteable  to  his  place  &  to 
approue  of  all  other  Officers  &  determine  what  else  shall  a])peare  to  them  as 
Necessaiy  to  be  done  for  the  Carying  an  End  of  the  whole  order,  &  that  all 
other  Orders  concerning  the  Valuation  or  coyning  of  money  past  this  court 
sha'11:)e  rejiealed." 

The  committee,  however,  which  was  appointed  "  for  the  cari'ying  an  end  " 
of  this  work,  either  meeting  with  opposition  from  Messrs.  Hull  and  Saunder- 
son,  or  being  otherwise  persuaded  that  the  compensation  was  insulficient,  in 
the  order  soon  to  follow  increased  it  to  the  same  amount  with  that  originally 
awarded  :  the  one  ])enny  an  ounce  for  waste,  amounting  to  three  pence  in 
twenty  shillings,  which,  added  to  the  fifteen  pence  per  twenty  shillings  for 
coinage,  etc.,  amounts  to  just  one  shilling  and  sixpence. 

A  difterent  view  of  this  is  taken  by  the  writer  of  the  remarks  upon  the 
coinage  of  Massachusetts  appended  to  Hull's  Diary,^  owing  to  the  extreme 
difticulty  of  deciphering  certain  words  which,  in  the  fac  simile,  are  indeed 
illegible,  l)iit  which  a  close  scrutiny  of  the  original  manuscript,  and  comparison 
with  like  words  in  other  writings  by  the  same  hand,  show  to  be  six  pence 
instead  of  eight  pence,  as  supposed  by  him. 

The  theory  there  advanced  is  that  Hull,  refusing  to  accept  the  award  of 
one  shilling  in  twenty,  the  conunittee  "were  compelled,  therefore,  to  increase 
his  compensation,  on  their  own  responsibility,  to  an  allowance  of  fifteen-pence 
in  every  twenty  shillings,  besides  one  penny  for  waste  in  every  ounce.  This 
brought  the  allowance  to  one  shilling  sevenpence  in  every  twenty,  —  nearly 
the  same  as  it  was  in  the  original  drauo-ht." 

1  Coll.  Amor.  Aiitiq.  Sot*,  vol.  iii.  ji.  285. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  39 

The  ensuing  papers  show  the  action  taken  by  the  committee  having  the 
mint  business  in  charge,  the  first  being  a  rough,  unfinished  draught,  of  which 
the  second  is  a  repetition,  in  a  slightly  difterent  form. 

'  "  wee  whose  names  are  herevnder  exp''ssed  •  R  B.  m' 
Whereas,  the  Gennerall  Court  have  Appointed  m'  W.  H.  m'E-R-C:t:  L. 
&  m'  Th:  C:  as  a  Cofnittee  to  Conside"'  and  determine  of  whatsoeucr  may  best 
tend  for  the  Carying  an  end  of  the  order  ffor  melting  Refining  &  Coyning  of 
Silver  haveing  spent  sometime  in  Considering  of  what  may,  w'"  most  speede  & 
least  charge.  Carry  that  buisnes  an  end  Respecting  the  Countrjes  Advantage 
.  .  doe  hereby  declare  that  thire  shall  be  an  howse  built  at  the  Countryes 
Charge  of  sixteene  foote  square  tenn  foote  high,  substantially  wrought  and 
further  also,  pvide  all  necessery  tooles  &  Implements  for  the  same  at  the 
Countrjes  charge :  And  that  the  mint  m^  may  not  have  Just  Cawse  to  Comjilaine 
wee  Cannot  but  Judge  it  meete  to  Allow  the  sajd  mint  master  for  melting 
Refvning  &  Coyning  such  Bulljon  Plate  &  mony  y'  shall  be  brought  vnto 
them:  what  in  their  Judgements  &  consciences  on  their  experience  he  shall 
Judge  Aquall  So  as  they  exceede  not  15"  in  a'!'  ou"'  &  besides  a  1''  in  eu'y 
oimce  allowed  for  wast  till  the  next  sessions  agn'  wch  tjme  It  is  to  be  hoped, 
such  experience  will  be  had  of  w'  is  necessary  to  be  Allowed  as  there  will 
be  no  Just  occasion  of  Complaint  only  wee  doe  desire  &  Advise  the  sajd 
[  ]  :  that  there  being  a  likly  hood  of  seu'all  sorts  of  worke 

in  which  they  are  to  be  Implojed  where  there  is  no  Refining  &  so  less  labor 
they  would  take  lesse  &  wlu-re  both  Refining  and  Cojning  is  necessary,  there 
if  they  find"  *  *  *  *  This  draught  is  left  unfinished,  but  that 
next  given  completes  the  record  of  this  session  of  the  committee. 

On  the  margin  of  this  paper  are  the  names  of  Symon  Bradstreet  and 
Jn"  AVoodbridge,  apparently  autographs;  "Robert  Saunderson,  his  coptner," 
proliably  wi-itten  by  Secretary  Rawson,  and  underneath  is  tlie  autogi-ai)h  of 
the  mint  master,  John  Hull,  a  fac  simile  of  which  is  presented  underneath 
the  two  papers  facing  page  41,  together  with  representations  of  some  i-ough 
sketches  of  designs  for  the  proposed  coinage,  which  are  drawn  u])(Hi  tlie 
margin    of  the    back    of    this    i)aner,  —  not    that    with    Avhich    they    ai'c    tlicre 


'o* 


illustrated. 

The  smallest  of  these  designs  is  quite    interesting,  as  it  shows  one  plan 
to  have  been  to  place  only  the  numerals   xii   in  the  centre,  having  the  date, 


'  Arclii\cs,  vol.  c.  ji.  87. 


40  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AJVIERICA. 

of  which  the  first  thi-ee  figures  only  are  legible,  in  the  same  circle  with   the 
legend,  new  England. 

The  completed  draught  of  this  action  of  the  committee  reads  thus  :  ^ 
"20  June  1652 

Whereas  the  Gennerall  Couite  hath  Appointed  vs  whose  names  are 
heei'evnder  exp''ssed  A  Coiiiitee  to  Consider  and  determine  of  whatsoeuer  may 
best  tend  for  the  Carying  an  end  of  the  order,  for  melting  Eefyning  and 
Coyning  of  silver  having  spent  some  tjme  in  Considering  of  what  may,  with 
most  speede  and  least  charge  Carry  that  buisenes  an  end,  Respecting  the 
Countrjes  Advantage  ;  doe  heereby  declare,  that  there  shall  be  an  howse  built 
at  the  Countrjes  charge,  of  sixteene  fibote  square,  tenn  foote  high  ;  substan- 
tially Avrought  ;  and  further  also,  Provide  all  necessary  tooles  and  Implements 
for  the  same,  at  the  Countrjes  charge  all  wch  is  in  Acting  And  that  the  mint 
master  may  not  have  Just  Cawse  to  Complajne,  wee  cannot  but  Judge  it  meete 
to  Allow  tlie  said  mint  master,  for  melting  Refyning  and  Coyning  such  bulljon, 
plate  &  mony,  that  shall  be  brought  vnto  them,  what  in  his  Judgment  and 
Conscience,  on  his  experience  he  shall  Judge  jequall,  so  as  he  exceede  not 
IS''  in  twenty  shillings  ouer  and  besides  a  penny  in  euery  ounce  allowed  for 
wast  till  the  next  sessions  Against  which  tjme,  Itt  is  to  be  hoped  such 
experience  will  be  had  of  what  is  necessary  to  be  Allowed,  as  there  will  be 
no  Just  occasion  of  Complainte  only  wee  doe  desire  and  Ad\'ise  the  sajd 
John  Hull,  (thei'e  being  a  likely  hood  of  seuerall  sorts  of  worke:  in  which  he 
is  to  be  Implojed  where  there  is  no  Refjning  and  so  lesse  labor,  he  woidd 
take  lesse  :  and  where  both  Refining  and  Coyning  is  necessary  there  ;  if  he 
finde   he  Cannot    subsist   with   lesse   he  may   take  fiveteene  pence,  for   euery 

twenty  shillings. 

Ri.  Bellingham 

AVilliam  Hibbins 

Edward  Rawson  Sec 

Yoted  by  the  whole  Court,  that  they  AlloAve  Tho :  Clarke 

ye  Act  of  the  Coinittee  for  minting  of  mony, 

Respecting  the  howse  &  Allowance  of  15''  p  20*. 
28  „?o,  1652:         Edw  Rawson  Secrety. 

Coiiiitee  about  ye  mint  to  stand  to  ye  next  sessions  E  R  S  " 

1  Aicliives,  vol.  o.  )i.  40. 


1»- 


7/ 


.•Vf 


j 


ri^ 


>>«-  ^    }f^  eV^i.-'C^  ■ToLc^i^'^'t  ni-S^di  ^    {a-ryy?-. 


"/»'5' 


■\ 


r^.>., 


,/ 
>" 


_y' 


l3  ^/^  •/  ^**^  /'^^ 


'rt^gi^c^^     ,. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  41 

Although  this  committee  exceeded  its  instructions,  their  proceedings  were 
approved  by  the  Court  in  the  note  appended  to  the  document,  and  there 
dated  October  28th,  while  upon  the  records  it  appears  undei-  date  of  October 
2Gth. 

This  discrepancy  was  occasioned  by  the  custom  of  the  secretar}^  of  dating 
but  few  of  the  days  of  a  session,  [sometimes  he  recorded  a  whole  session 
under  one  date,]  thus  rendering  it  impossible  to  determine  from  the  records 
the  precise  dates  of  the  passage  of  most  of  the  acts  there  recorded.  Greater 
apparent  errors  than  this  appear  in  some  other  entries,  which  must  be  attributed 
to  the  same  cause. 

The  secretary's  record  of  this  vote  stands  thus  :  ^  "  The  whole  Courte  by 
their  Gennerall  vote  did  Allow  and  Approove  of  the  acte  of  the  Coinittee 
about  minting  of  money  &  Respecting  their  building  of  the  mint  howse  at 
the  Coinon  charge,  and  allowance  of  the  officers  15"^  in  euery  twenty  shillings 
for  their  paines  and  Ordered  the  Coinittee  to  Continew  in  thcirc  poAver  till 
the  next  Eleccon." 

Upon  the  back  of  the  paper  which  contains  the  record  of  the  action  of 
the  committee  mentioned  above  is  found  the  form  of  oath  to  be  administered 
to  Messrs.  Hull  and  Saunderson,  as  "  aequall  office"  in  the  minting  of  mony," 
in  these  words  : ' 

"  Boston  :  11  :  June.  1652. 
Itt  is  Ordered    that   the  Oath   here  vnde'  written    shall    bo  the 
oath  that  John  Hull  and  Kobt  Saunderson  shall  take  as  i^quall 
office"  In  the  minting  of  mony  &c. 

Whereas  yo"  John  Hull  and  Robert  Saunderson  are  Appointed 
by  the  order  of  the  Gennerall  Courte  bearing  date  the  10"'  of 
June    1052.  to  be  officers  for  the   massachusetts  Jurisdiccxin  in 

Jo:    Hull    ilclKls'l  T-i  1  1       o  1  .    ■  1.      ,.        •  1      ^     •      •  n       ■^ 

...      „     JNew  England,  for  the  mcltmg,  Refynmg,  and  Coimng  of  silver 
accordingly  y**  o  '  o?  j        o'  .    . 

Same  day  before  .7*^"^  doe  heere  sweare  by  the  great  name  of  the  euer  living  God 

ye  Coiniuee.       that  yo"^  will  faithfully  and  dilligently  pforme  the  duty  of  you' 

E.  R  S :        places   that    all   mony  Cojned   by   yow  =  shall   be   of  the   Just 

Rob'  Saun.lcrson  ^j^y  ^f  ^^  English  Cojne   that   euery  shilling  shall! )c  of  due 

eposc         mo    _  weight,  viz.  three  penny  troj  weight,  and  all  other  peeces  pro- 

portionably,  according   to  the  order  of  Coiwtc   so  nccrc  as  yo* 

Cann  =  So  helpe  yo"  God  :  " 

'Records,  vol.  iv,  |p.  111.         -  .Vnliive.s,  \'w.  vol.  c.  p.  40. 


42  THE   EARLY    COLNS    OF   AMERICA. 

We  find  no  reference  to  this  action  of  the  Court  upon  their  records,  nor 
does  it  appear  from  tliem  that  the  Court  was  in  session  at  the  time  here 
mentioned,  although,  owing  to  the  absence  of  daily  dates,  it  is  impossible  to 
determine  precisely  upon  what  day  the  adjournment  took  place,  June  1st 
being  the  last  date  recorded  prior  to  the  adjournment,  which  was  to  the  19th 
of  October. 

In  order  further  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  law,  the  committee 
issued  the  following  : ' 

"Att  A  meeting  of  the  Coinittee  for  Carrying  an  end  of  the 
p'^soiit  orde"^  cone,  niony,  on  22  day  of  June,  1652, 

Rich   Belliiigliain    ^^.  ^^^  meeting  it  was  determined  : 

^       ^      ''  1     that  there  should  be  a  mint  howse  &  all  tooles  and  Imple- 

Capt  Leutt.  .,       «  ^  . 

Mr  Clarke  ments    necessary   thereto,    built    &    pcured    At    the    Countrjes 

Edw.  Rawsnn.        charge  well  is  in  acting  &  a  declaration  accordingly  made. 

2.  That  warrants  should  Issue  out  to  the  Constables  of  Boston, 
for  the  p'"essing  Isacke  Cullimore  for  that  Service  wch  was 
donne. 

3.  That  A  warrant  should  Issue  out  to  the  sajd  Isacke  Cidlj- 
more,  for  ye  Impowering  him  to  p'"esse  other  workemen  Car- 
pente*"*  &c.  as  may  Joyne  w"'  him  in  the  Countrjes  Service  w''" 
was  donne. 

4.  That  the  sajd  mint  howse  shall  be  sett  vppon  the  land  of 
the  sajd  John  Hull  :  and  if  It  is  Agreed  betweene  the  sajd 
committee  and  ye  sajd  John  Hull  that  when  euer  either  by 
his  death  or  otherwise  the  said  John  Hull  shall  cease  to  be 
the  mint  master,  that  then  the  Countrje  shall  have  the  ground 
ye  howse  stands  vppon  at  such  prize  as  two  Inditferent  men, 
equally  chosen  by  the  Countrye  &  ye  said  John  Hull  or  his 
Assignes  shall  determine,  or  else  the  sajd  John  Hull  on  the  like 
termes  shall  have  the  sajd  Howse  as  two  Inditferent  men  shall 
Judge  it  to  be  worth  at  the  choice  of  the  Coiuitrje  : 

William  Hibbins 
Edward  Rawson  Sec:- 
Tho  :  Clarke  " 

'  Arcliivc8,  Pec.  vol.  c.  ji.  38. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  43 

The  extreme  scarcity  of  the  coins  struck  in  accordance  with  this  act, 
and  the  simple  form  of  the  dies  with  which  they  were  struck,  renders  it  next 
to  impossible  to  give  an  intelligible  list  of  their  varieties,  which  were  not 
numerous,  not  more  than  some  half  dozen  varieties  being  known  to  us.  They 
were  made  from  thin  planchets  of  silver,  apparently  clipped  to  the  desired 
size,  weight,  and  form  ;  and  although  the  latter  was  ordered  by  the  Court 
to  be  "  flatt  and  square,"  a  subsequent  decision  of  the  committee  determined 
that  they  should  be  coined  "  in  A  Kound  forme,"  as  witness  their  order  here 
copied,  the  draught  of  which  is  found  underneath  the  form  of  oath,  aTid  on 
the  same  paper  : ' 

"  Whereas :  by  order  of  the  Gennerall  Courte  It  is  Appointed  that  all 
monies  Goyned  heere,  for  forme  should  be  flatt  and  square,  wee,  whose  names 
are  heere  vnder  written,  Appointed  by  the  Gennerall  Court,  as  A  Coiuittee  to 
Consider  and  determine  "^  whatsoeuer  wee  should  Judge  necessary  for  the 
Cari-ying  an  end  of  the  order  k««i""'=«"b  ™"f  "s  «'  »>™y''«  doe  hereby  determine  & 
declare  that  the  oflice"  for  the  minting  of  mony  shall  Coyne  all  the  mony 
that  they  mints  in  A  Round  forme  till  the  Gennerall  Courte  shall  otherwise 
declare  their  minds  =  therein  any  thing  in  the  former  order  notwithstanding.''^ 

A  fac  simile  of  the  record  of  this  action  of  the  committee  will  l)e  found, 
together  with  those  of  the  form  of  oath  to  be  administered  to  the  mint  officers, 
the  draughts  of  designs  for  the  proposed  coinage,  the  autograjih  of  John 
Hull,  and  the  order  for  Twopenny  pieces,  facing  page  41.  liy  I'eference  to 
that  fac  simile  it  will  be  seen  that  the  names  of  the  committee  were  not 
affixed  to  the  order  as  therein  stated. 

These  coins  were  very  irregular  in  their  outlines,  which  was  of  little 
importance  so  far  as  the  coining  was  concerned,  for  the  dies,  (if  they  should 
be  dignified  with  the  name  of  dies,)  were  simply  punches,  upon  one  end  of 
which  wei'c  sunken  the  letters  for  the  obverse,  or  the  numerals  lor  the  reverse, 
(which  occupied  the  gi-eater  part  of  their  siu'faces,)  and  which  were  struck 
upon  the  planchets  at  opposite  edges,  that  one  stamp  might  not  obliterate  or 
deface  the  other. 

The  original  clipped  and  irregular  form  of  this  issue  rendering  it  partic- 
ularly liable  to  a  repetition  of  the  process  of  clipping  by  dishonest  tradeis,  who 
did  not  hesitate,  even  in  those  days  of  honest  dealing,  (as  they  are  repud'd,) 
to   avail   themselves  of  every   opportunity  for   the    increase  of   tlu'ii-    worldly 

'Archives,  Pec.  vol.  c.  j).  40. 


44  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

gains  at  the  expense  of  the  public  good,  it  was  found  necessary  to  change 
the  design  of  the  impress,  in  consequence  of  which  this  order  was  issued, 
under  date  of  October  19,  1652  : ' 

"  ffor  the  prevention  of  washing  or  Clipping  of  all  such 
peices  of  mony  as  shall  be  Cojned  w*''in  this  Jurisdiction.  It  is 
Ordered  by  this  Courte  and  the  Authoritje  thereof,  that  hence- 
forth all  peices  of  mony  Cojned  as  afore  sajd  shall  have  a  double 
Ring  on  either  side,  with  this  Inscription  —  Massachusetts,  and  a 
tree  in  the  Center  on  the  one  side,  and  New  England  and  the 
"Fig'i.  yeere  of  our  lord  on  the  other  side,  according   to   this    draught 

heere  in  the  margent." 
The  entry  of  this  order,  as  it  appears  on  the  records  of  the  House  of 
Dej^uties,"  differs  from  that  of  the  Magistrates  but  little,  even  in  form,  yet  we 
here  give  a  copy  of  it  :  "ffor  the  pvention  of  washing  or  Cliping  all  such 
peeces  of  money  as  shalbe  Coyned  within  this  Jurisdiction  It  is  ordred  by 
this  court  &  Authoritie  Thereof  that  Henceforth  all  peeces  of  money  Coyned 
as  afforesd  both  shillings  &  smaller  peeces  shall  haue  a  double  Ringe*on 
either  side  with  this  Inscription  (massachusetts)  &  a  tree  in  the  center  on 
the  one  side,  And  (New  england)  &  the  date  of  the  yeare  on  the  other  side 
according  to  a  draught  herew"'all  psented." 

It  is  a  fact  to  be  noticed  that  no  coin  is  to  be  found  agreeing  in  or- 
thogi-aphy  with  the  specifications  of  this  oixler  ;  and  had  the  shillings  dated 
1650  been  coined  at  that  date,  it  is  extremely  probalile  that  one  of  these,  or 
at  least  a  draught  more  nearly  resembling  them,  would  have  been  jJi'esented  ; 
whereas  no  mention  of  them  seems  to  have  then  been  made. 

Our  studies  of  this  coinage  have  led  us  to  a  conclusion  directly  opposed 
to  that  generally  accepted  regarding  the  coinage  of  the  different  varieties  of 
the  silver  money  of  Massachusetts. 

The  only  satisfactory  theory  which  presents .  itself  in  relation  to  this  point, 
is  the  ensuing  : 

The  earliest  issue  of  this  mint  was,  of  course,  the  N  E  series,  this  being 
in  exact  accordance  with  the  description  given  in  the  act  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  mint,  that  bearing  a  tree  following  it,  in  accordance  with  the 
order  of  October  19,  1652,  which  furnishes  the  draught  of  that  device. 

The  cuts  on  the  next  page  (Figs.  2,  3,  4,  and  5,)  furnish  good  represen- 

iMass.  Records,  vol.  iv.  ]>.  98.  a  Records,  vol.  iii.  \>.  358. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


45 


tations  of  the  coins  of  the  scries  first  mentioned.     [Sec  also  Plate  I,  Xos.  3,  4, 

and  5.] 

The  N  E  Shilling  may  be  described  as  a  plain,  hammered  or  rolled 
planchet  of  silver,  in  size  varying  from  sixteen  to  nineteen,  c-li])j)ed  to  an 
irregularly  circular  form  ;  upon  the  obvei'se,  X  E  in  relief  upon  a  depressed 
field,  which  is  straight  upon  three  sides  but  arched  at  the  top.  The  length 
of  this  field  is  usually  somewhat  less  than  one-half  the  diameter  of  the  planchet, 
and  near  its  upper  edge  ;  the  central  line  of  the  N  is  prolonged  into  a  curve 
under  the  E,  and  the  top  of  its  right  limb  is  also  curved  or  bent  forward, 
crossing  the  upright  of,  and  forming  the  top  to,  the  E. 


Reverse  :  upon  a  field  similar  to  that  of  the  obverse,  l)ut  smaller,  and 
more  nearly  square,  not  being  rounded  or  arched  at  the  top,  the  Roman 
numerals  XII  This  stamp  also  is  placed  near  the  edge  and  at  the  top  of 
the  planchet  ;  not  i)ehin(l  tliat  niH)n  tlic  obverse,  but  so  that  when  held  with 
the  numerals  upright,  that  upon  the  opposite  side  will  usually  be  at  the 
bottom,  though  it  is  occasionally  found  at  one  side. 


The  Sixjx'nces  and  Threepences  dill'cr  liom  tlie  Shilling  in  ihc  lonu  of 
the  depressed  iicld  :  tliat  upon  the  obverse  of  these,  instead  of  being  nearly 
square,  is  indented  on  its  f(nu'  sides,  and  irregularly  (juadrilobed,  to  conform 
to  the  outlines  of  the  k-ttci's.  The  reverses  differ  but  little  fi-om  the  Shilling, 
exeej)t    in    the    Muiiierals,  wliicli    here  are  VI  and   III       In   sizr  tlie    Sixpence 


46 


THE    EARLY    COETfS    OF    AlVIERICA. 


varies  from  twelve  to  fourteen,  and  the  only  Threepence  we  have  measured 
is  size  twelve-and-a-half. 

But  two  vmdoubtedly  genuine  specimens  of  the  Threepence  are  known, 
those  in  the  collections  of  AVilliani  S.  Appleton,  A.  M.,  and  Yale  College  ; 
those  recently  sold  in  New  York,  as  well  as  the  Sixpences  and  Pennies,  having 
been  pronounced  forgeries. 

Next  to  the  N  E  series  we  place  the  "Willow  Tree  coins,  these  bearing 
the  rudest  resemblance  to  the  draught  accompanying  the  order  for  a  change 


in  the  design. 


[See  Plate  I,  Nos.  6  and  7.] 


The  coins  bearing  this  tree  are  so  rude  in  conception  and  bungling  in 
exec'ution,  (though  not  partaking  of  the  errors  of  reversed  letters  which  appear 
in  some  varieties  of  both  Oak  and  Pine,)  as  to  deserve  none  other  than  a 
position  among  the  experimental  attempts  of  novices  in  the  art  of  coining  ; 
unless,  as  has  been  suggested,  they  are  to  be  considered  as  counterfeits, 
which  to  us  does  not  appear  probable.  So  rude,  indeed,  are  they,  that  it  is 
difficult  to  believe  them  to  have  been  accepted  by  any  people  except  under 
urgent  necessity  for  coin  of  some  kind,  however  imperfect. 

Of  these  we  have  never  met  with  a  perfect  specimen,  all  being  doubly 
struck,  and  most,  very  faint  impressions  and  much  worn.  We  find  of  them 
three  obverse  and  seven  reverse  dies  for  the  Shilling,  and  of  the  Sixpence  only 
one  die  of  each,  obverse  and  reverse. 


TABLES  OF  VARIETIES  OF  WILLOW  TREE  SHILLINGS. 

OBVERSES. 


Die. 

Legends. 

Tree. 

Roots. 

Grains  of 
Ring. 

Letters. 

Obv. 

With 
Rev. 

No.  1. 

f  MMAS  THVSE   IN. 
I  lASA    HVETS    N 

A  confused  mass  of 

curves  and  lines. 

Trunk  double  and  wide. 

Long,  pointing 
downward. 

Round. 
Separate. 

Large. 
Heavy. 

la 
lb 

Al 

A2 

No.  2. 

(  MAS   THVSE   S  :   IN 
(            SATH   ETS  :  UN 

Angular.    Trunk  double, 
with  cros.s  lines. 

Curved  to  left 
and  right. 

Small. 
Connected. 

Rather  light. 

2a 
2h 

B 

C 

r  MAAS.4.TTH   SE   .SS   II 

A  net-work  of  curves 

3a 

D 

MASSATVSETSS  IN 

and  lines,  more  compact 

Long,  open. 

Large. 

3h 

E 

No.  3. 

■    MAASSAT  ETS   TS  :  N. 

than  the  last. 

Some  con- 

Medium. 

3C 

F 

MASAATVSETS  :  IN 

Large  dot  in  centre. 

Pointing  right. 

nected. 

3d 

Gi 

UlA  ATEHVS   ETS   IN 

Trunk  narrow. 

3e 

G^ 

MASSACHUSETTS. 


47 


EEVERSES. 


Die. 

Legends. 

Figures  of  Date. 

Numerals. 

Grains. 

Letters. 

Rev. 

With 
Obv. 

A 

(ne  ni.an  M' 
(:NE   I,   ND   NDOM 

Rather  large.     2  high. 

Large. 

Round. 
Separate. 

Rather  large. 

Ai 

A2 

lb 

B 

lEWE   NGI.AND   N  DO 

Worn. 

Mciliuiii. 

Connected. 

Medium. 

B 

2a 

C 

NE   NOLAN   N   DOM. 

Large. 

Medium. 

Connected. 

Rather  light. 

C 

2b 

D 

:new  ani)-an  om: 

Large,  heavy. 

Large,  heavy. 

On  tliread. 

Large,  heavy. 

D 

3a 

E 

NEI    EWENGLD.ANDOM 

Large,  heavy. 

Large,  heavy. 

Connected. 

Large,  heavy. 

E 

3b 

F 

NEWEWEND  :AA7ND0M 

Rather  heavy. 

Rather  heavy. 

Connected. 

Small,  light. 

F 

3c 

G 

JNEWNOLAA  D   AN  DOM 
1  NEW  ENGGLA   D   ANDOM 

Rather  heavy. 

Rather  heavy. 

Connected. 

Medium. 

Gi 

G2 

3d 

38 

The  confusion  in  the  legends  of  these  pieces  has  been  thought  by  some 
to  constitute  different  varieties.  It  is  occasioned  by  the  intermingling  of  the 
letters,  by  double  or  triple  impressions,  of  Avhieli  doubtless  many  more  speci- 
mens might  be  given,  were  it  woi'th  our  while  to  follow  so  unsatisfactory  a 
pursuit.  These  few  are  mentioned  as  an  illustration  of  the  unskillful  execu- 
tion of  the  coins  of  this*  class. 

In  explanation  of  this  table  we  would  say  thai  the  letters  in  the  column 
following  the  numbers  of  the  obverse  dies,  refer  to  the  reverse  with  which 
that  die  is  coupled  ;  and  the  figures  following  the  letters  designating  the 
reverse  dies,  are  those  of  the  obverses  with  which  thei/  are  coupled.  The 
small  letters  or  figures  simply  refer  to  the  particular  combinations  of  the  letters 
of  the  legends  eausfd  by  double  impressions.  Thus,  3''  G',  indicates  that  the 
legends  of  that  partieular  specimen  are  as  there  represented  :  as  it  is  hardly 
possible  that  two  pieces  can  be  found  showing  the  same  combinations  of 
letters,  when  doubly  struck,  this  is  really  of  little  importance. 

Next,  the  Oak  Tree  coins.     See  Plate  I,  Nos.  8  to  17,  and  Figs.  6  to  12. 


Notwithstanding    tlie  fact   that    tlir  Twopenny  picci'S,  —  all  of   which   lun  c  lur 
their  device  an  oak  shrub,  —  hear  the  date  of  ]()(J2,  (which  fact  we  consider 


48 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


does   not   in   the   least  degree  conflict  with  this  theory,)  we  think  these  also 
must  have  preceded  the  device  of  the  Pine  tree,  and  for  several  reasons. 


1st.  The  resemblance  of  the  device,  upon  both  Oaks  and  Willows,  to  the 
draught  presented  by  the  General  Court,  October  19,  1G52,  the  Willows 
being  the  rudest  representations  of  the  draught  previously  illustrated. 

2d.  Their  general  inferiority,  in  point  of  execution,  to  the  Pine  Tree 
coins. 

3d.  Their  size,  which  varies  but  slightly  from  that  of  the  X  E  series, 
which  preceded  ;  or  the  larger,  which  are  believed  to  be  the  older  of  those 
of  the  Pine  Tree  series. 

4:th.  The  stamp  of  this  mint  was  spoken  of  by  a  writer  in  1680,  as  "a 
New  England  pine."  Had  the  Oak  Tree  device  been  still  in  use,  this  term 
would  not  have  been  then  used. 

5th.  The  scarcity  of  specimens  of  these,  and  the  small  nuinl^er  of  varie- 
ties which  they  fnrnish,  —  the  Shillings  of  the  Willows  numbering  but  three 
obverse  dies,  and  of  the  Oaks  nine. 


Allowing  the  coinage  of  the  Oak  Tree  variety  to  have  commenced  very 
soon  after  the  design  was  adopted,  and  to  have  been  continued  for  ten  years 
or  a  little    longer,  about   one    third    of  the    whole    coinage,   (exclusive  of  the 


MASSACHUSETTS.  49 

Twopenny  pieces,)  wonld  be  likely  to  have  been  issued  ;  and  the  Twopenny 
pieces,  with  their  date  of  10(52,  Avould  be  included  among  these  in  style. 

6th.  The  punctuation,  which  we  take  to  be  the  privy  mark  ordered  to 
be  put  upon  them,  is.  upon  these  of  the  more  simple  character  ;  some  havinoc 
none,  and  none  of  the  "Willow  and  but  few  of  the  Oaks  having  more  than 
colons  for  such  marks. 

7th.  Sir  Thomas  Temple,  in  1{)()2,  showed  at  the  council  table  in  England, 
some  of  this  money,  which  Dr.  Eliot,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Hollis,'  written  in  May, 
1768,  says  had  upon  it  "  a  pine  tree"  of  that  sort  which  is  thick  and  bushy 
towards  the  top,"  [how  did  he  ascertain  the  particuhir  style  of  tree  upon  the 
coin  which  was  shown  in  England  more  than  one  hundred  years  before  ?  ] 
informing  the  king,  in  answer  to  his  direct  inquiry,  that  it  was  the  "  royal  oak 
which  preserved  his  majesty's  life."  Had  this  been  really  a  pine  tree,  Sir 
Thomas  would  hardiv  have  been  so  bold  as  to  have  stated  it  to  the  kins:, 
who  was  then  in  no  mood  to  be  trifled  with,  to  be  an  oak.  Conceding  it  to 
have  been  an  oak,  he  could  hardly  have  had  it  in  his  possession  to  have 
shown  at  that  time  and  place,  had  not  these  I)een  coined  jircvious  to  1662. 
It  is  more  probable  that  those  previously  coined  liad  l)ccn  of  the  Oak  Tree 
variety,  and  that  soon  after  1662  a  change  was  made  to  the   Pine. 

The  whole  story  here  referred  to  has  been  considered  merely  as  a  pleasant 
mytli,  and  is  called  l)y  Rudiug'  a  "  i-idiculous  stoi-y  ; "  but  the  fact  of  the 
mcmey  being  so  shown  by  Sir  Thomas  is  sufficiently  provctl  by  records  still 
preserved  in  the  State  archives,  a  copy  of  which  will  be  given  on  a  suljse- 
quent  page. 

Although  it  may  be  objected  that  this  story  im])lies  that  Sir  Thomas  did 
falsily  in  bis  answer,  lor  llic  purpose  of  making  his  point,  \vc  t]iiid<  it  more 
pr()bal)ie,  and  as  mucii  impTu'd,  that,  instead  of  making  a  lidse  statement,  he 
merely  turned  the  truth  to  his  advantage,  making  it  sul)scrve  his  ])urpose  by 
his  ready  wit.  He  could  not  have  given  the  king  credit  for  nuich  intelligence 
to  have- attempted  to  foist  upon  him  a  pine  tree  for  an  oak,  when,  IVon>  the 
experience  of  Charles  with  tlie  latter  tree,  he  shoiiM  have  been  su])|)osi'(l  t(» 
know  llic  dilVci-encc  bet  ween  it  and  a  |)ine. 

I'lion  the   next    two  pages  ai-c  tables  of  varieties  of  the  Oak  Tree  coins. 


'ITollis  Memoirs,  vol.  i,  |,.  807-S. 

-  ri-iili.-itily   (■••iliiiiL;'   it    m>   in   :n-ciiiil:niiT   willi   :i   fiislnm    wliicli   ruiil  iiiucs   to   lliis  iImv,  of  <';ill- 
iiiLt  •ill  llirsc,  of  u  li.iicN  (■!•  vaiictv,  "  I'iiii'  Tree  coins."         •*  N'ol.  i.  p.   I  Hi. 


50 


THE    EAELY   COLN^S    OF   AMERICA. 


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52  THE   EARLY    COESTS    OF    AMERICA. 

Some  notes  may  be  necessary  for  the  greater  ease  in  distinguishing  the 
varieties  of  these  coins,  which  we  will  here  endeavor  to  supply. 

The  consecutive  numbers  and  letters  on  the  tables  indicate  the  different 
dies  used  upon  these  coins,  —  figures  being  used  to  represent  the  obverses 
and  letters  for  the  reverses. 

The  superior  letters,  or  figures,  affixed  to  some  of  the  figures,  or  letters, 
indicate  that  those  dies  have  undergone  alterations,  —  the  superior  characters 
indicating  the  number  of  difterent  forms  in  which  they  appear. 

An  interrogation  mai'k  is  used  where  a  point  is  doubtful,  or  where  no 
specimen  is  found  sufficiently  clear  to  give  the  particulars  of  the  portions 
indicated  thereby.  The  measurements  of  the  tree,  and  the  inside  diameters 
of  the  rings,  are  made  in  sixteenths  of  an  inch. 

SHILLINGS. 

The  first  die  showing  alterations  is  No.  1.  In  I''  the  tree  is  covered  with 
coarse  spines,  lying  pretty  closely  upon  the  branches;  the  lower  limb  at  the  left 
curves  upward,  pointing  at  ii.     The  roots  are  many,  and  very  fine.     R". 

In  l*"  the  spines  are  lighter  and  more  open,  and  the  lower  branch  points 
at  the  second  a.  The  roots  are  less  numerous  and  heavier.  It  is  this 
variety  that  Wyatt's  counterfeit  most  closely  I'esembles.  See  Plate  I,  No. 
10,  and  Fig.  6.     Rl     For  Wyatt's  counterfeit  see  Plate  I,  No.  21. 

No.  2  has  the  inner  I'ing  nearly  round,  the  grains  separate,  and  the  lower 
branches  of  the  tree  curving  equally.     Plate  I,  No.  9.     R. 

In  No.  3  the  ring  is  longer  horizontally,  many  grains  joined,  and  the 
lower  limb  at  the  right  is  low,  pointing  at  the  third  s.     Plate  I,  No.  8.     R*. 

No.  4.  In  this  the  ring  is  nearly  round,  with  the  grains  joined  above 
and  below  ;    the  trunk  is  very  broad,  and  of  several  lines.     R''. 

No.  5  is  much  like  No.  4,  but  the  grains  are  round  and  separate,  the 
trunk  narrower,  and  of  but  two  upright  lines.     R''. 

6"*  and  G''  closely  resemble  each  other,  but  may  be  distinguished  by  the 
lower  limb  at  left,  Avhich  in  G'^  curves  upward,  pointing  at  the  second  A,  and 
the  shrub  under  it  is  midway  between  the  trunk  and  the  ring;  while  in 
G**  the  limb  points  near  the  right  foot  of  the  first  A,  and  the  shrub  is  as  near 
to  the  tree,  as  is  the  one  at  the  right.     The  N  is  I'eversed.     R*. 

No.  7  has  a  tree  covered  with  spines,  and  the  letters  are  mostly  forked 
at  the  ends.     It  is  represented  at  Fig.  7.     The  n  is  reversed.     R. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  53 

01"  No.  8  we  have  found  but  a  single  specimen,  and  that,  unfbi-tunately, 
is  so  much  clipj^ed  that  a  full  description  of  the  die  is  impossible.  It  may 
be  seen  on  Plate  I,  No.  12.     R^ 

No.  9  has  a  ring  more  higli  than  wide,  the  grains  joined  under  sets, 
and  upon  a  thread  in  the  rest  of  the  ring.  It  is  represented  with  reverse  h, 
on  Plate  I,  Xo.  11.     0-G  R".;   9-H  K'.;   9-1  R«. 

SIXPENCES. 

No.  1  is  most  frequently  met  with.  P  has  the  letters  m.\s.\thvsets  cor- 
rect, and  in  their  proper  positions.     R. 

In  P,  M  and  A  are  joined  below,  and  the  first  s  rests  upon  the  inner  ring. 

In  l'^,  M  and  A  are  separate,  as  in  1'',  but  the  s  is  reversed,  and  here  also 
rests  upon  the  inner  ring.     The  x  is  reversed  in  all.     Fig.  10.      K'. 

No.  2  is  a  variety  rarely  found,  and  all  very  poor  specimens.  The  tree 
seems  to  stand  upon  a  hillock,  which,  as  well  as  the  triuik,  is  cleft;  the  grains 
of  the  ring  are  so  closely  connected  as  to  render  a  count  imjjossible.  Its 
reverse  is  peculiar,  the  date  being  often  mistaken  for  1650,  on  account  of  the 
2,  which  seems  to  have  been  first  cut  reversed,  then  altered,  thus  resembling 
a  cipher  resting  upon  a  line.     The  date  is  very  high  in  the  field.     R"*. 

No.  3  is  a  curious  variety,  and  can  be  better  understood  by  i-eference 
to  Fig.  9  than  by  any  written  description.  This  variety  has  i\  on  both  sides, 
but  has  no  beaded  ring  outside  of  the  legend.     R''. 

No.  4  has  a  tall  tree  of  fine  branches,  many  fine  cross  lines  in  the  trunk, 
standing  upon  a  hillock,  cK-ft.  The  points  of  the  first  colon  are  diamond 
shaped.     Plate  I,  No.  13.     IV. 

No.  5,  the  largest  Sixpence  we  have  found,  is  represented  by  Fig.  S.     R"*. 

No.  6  is  peculiar  in  that  the  word  in  is  omitted  from  the  obverse;  it  is, 
however,  found  upon  the  reverse  die.     R'. 

tiiki^:fpences. 

No.  1  has  every  s  reversi'd,  and  tlic  dots  of  the  group  vei-y  small  and 
close  together.  The  grains  of  the  inner  ring  are  very  small,  some  being 
connected  by  a  line  line  or  thread.  The  trunk  is  double,  curving  hit.  IMate 
I,  No.  15.      11"'. 

No.  2.  The  tree  is  heavier  on  the  right,  with  ti-nnk  double  and  cross- 
lined.     The  first  s  only  is  reversed,  the  dots  of   tin-  gioup    large,   I  he    gi-ains 


54. 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OP   AMERICA. 


of  the  ring  large  and  so  joined  as  to  render  an  accurate  count  impossible. 
Plate  I,  ^o.  14.     R\ 

No.  3  has  a  more  evenly-balanced  tree,  with  trunk  double,  but  no  cross- 
lines.  The  grains  are  mostly  separate,  but  slightly  joiued  at  the  top  of  the 
ring.     Fig.  11.     R«. 

No.  4.  The  tree  leans  to  the  right,  trunk  double,  ground  joins  ring  at 
both  sides,  and  no  roots  visible.     JP. 

'No.  5  resembles  No.  4.  The  tree  leans  to  the  right,  the  trunk  is  single, 
and  the  ground  does  not  reach  the  ring.     Several  fine  roots  point  left.     R^. 

j^o.  G.  The  only  specimen  of  this  variety  known  to  us  is  so  much  worn 
upon  its  obverse  as  to  render  a  description  impossible.  "We  can  only  say 
that  it  strongly  resembles  the  Twopenny  piece,  but  cqjpears  to  have  been 
punctuated  with  a  group  of  dots.     R^ 

TWOPEXCE. 

The  varieties  of  this  are  found  simply  in  alterations  of  the  revei-se  die, 
A\  having  the  figure  2  uniform  in  size  with  the  othei-  figures  of  the  date, 
(Plate  I,  Xo.  17,)  A-  having  the  2  very  small,  (Plate  I,  Xo.  !(>,)  and  on  A^ 
it  is  liroken,  resembling  r. 

The  letters  R  to  R",  in  the  notes,  indicate  the  comparative  rarity. 

The  latest  issue  we  take  to  be  those  bearing  the  device  of  a  Pine  Tree. 
The    following    cuts   (Figs.  13    and    14,)   represent  varieties   of  the   Pine 
Tree  Shillings  not  given  upon  Plate  II. 


...  ....'\f^ 


m 


These  coins  (the  larger  of  which  we  consider  to  have  been  the  first  coined,) 
as  they  diminish  in  size  increase  in  the  complexity  of  their  punctuation,  — 
some  of  the  largest  having  none,  others  single  points,  (one  variety  only  of 
the  larger  ones  having  a  group,)  while  the  medium  and  smaller  sizes  have 
groups  of  dots  or  pellets,  consisting  of  from  four  to  eight  each,  and  in  some 


MASSACHUSETTS.  55 

instances  combinations  of  groups  with  single  points.  This  type  furnishes  at 
least  twenty-four  obverse  dies  of  the  Shilling,  or  about  double  the  numljer 
of  both  AVillows  and  Oaks,  and  are  met  with  in  about  flio  proportion  of  four 
of  these  to  one  of  those.  This  is  the  resuU  naturally  to  be  anticipated  had 
the  Pine  Tree  replaced  the  Oak  at  al)out  1662,  and  continued  until  the  sus- 
pension of  the  operations  of  the  mint,  whose  legal  existence  is  su])posed  to 
have  terminated  about  June  3d,  1682,  they  having  been  coined  foi-  about  twice 
the  number  of  years  covered  by  the  i^receding  issues  ;  and  having  made  their 
appearance  at  from  twenty  to  thirty  years  later,  might  reasonably  be  expected 
to  be  more  frequently  found,  and  in  a  better  state  of  preservation,  than  would 
their  predecessors,  which  is  the  case. 

This  theory  of  their  order  of  coinage  seems  to  reconcile  all  the  difficul- 
ties besetting  that  which  regards  the  Pine  Tree  coins  as  taking  precedence, 
and  the  Oak  as  following  them  at  about  1662,  while  it  does  not  confliet  with 
the  basis  of  that  theory,  —  that  basis  being,  if  Ave  mistake  not,  simply  that  the 
date  of  the  Twopenny  pieces,  all  of  Avhich  bear  the  Oak  Tree,  is  1()()2,  which, 
it  should  be  remembered,  is  the  date  of  the  order  by  authority  of  which  they 
were  coined.      [See  fac  simile  facing  j).  II.] 

Neithei"  Folkes  nor  Ruding  seem  ever  to  have  known  of  the  act  author- 
izing a  coinage  of  this  denomination,  which  accounts  lor  their  (lnul>ts  i-espect- 
ing  this  date. 

An  ai'rangement,  according  to  the  punctuation,  gives  a  gradual  rciluction 
in  size,  (though  not  with  perfect  regularity,  as  ditferent  coins  from  the  same 
dies  often  differ  in  thickness,  and  consequently  in  size,)  from  the  X  \\  coins 
to  the  smaller  I'ine  Tree  Shillings,  the  economy  of  which  change  may  have 
been  suggestid  1)\'  the  superior  durability  of  the  smaller  dies,  as  [)roved  by 
the  greater  relative  ])roportion  of  the  smaller  Shillings,  as  well  as  the  greater 
number  of  Oak  Tree  coins  found  among  the  smaller  denominations  than  among 
the  larger,  the  dies  prol)ably  being  made  use  of  until  they  were  so  nuich  worn 
()!■  broken  as  to  I'ender  tlu'Ui  worthless  ;  and  even  when  nuicli  worn  they  seem 
to  have  been  recut,  and  slightly  altered,  to   ht   thcni   lor  still    i'uilhcr  scr\ice. 

If  we  place  the  Pine  Trees  first,  and  suppose  either  a  giailiial  (Im'ease, 
or  increase  in  size,  one  of  which  seems  very  ])robable,  we  are  compelled  to 
make  a  sudden  change,  either  from  the  small  Pine  Tree  Shilling  to  the  larger 
Oak,  in  the  first  case,  or,  in  the  last,  from  the  large  N"  K  to  the  small  l*ine 
Tree  Shillings.  This  sudden  change,  in  cither  case,  is  l)v  the  I'ort'goiiig  theoi'v 
avoided,  which  to  us  appeal's  to  strengthen  the  prohahiliiv  of  its  concctness. 


56 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


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58 


THE    EARLY    COENTS    OF    AMERICA. 


In  the  following  notes  the  figures  representing  the  trees,  as  8^7,  indicate 
that  the  tree  has  eight  branches  on  the  left,  three  small  points  at  the  top, 
and  seven  branches  on  the  I'ight  of  the  trunk. 

Branches  are  said  to  be  in  pairs  when  springing  from  the  trunk  oppo- 
site each  other;    alternate,  when  between  two  branches  of  the  opposite  side. 

No.  1''.  Tree  of  7  ^  7,  all  in  pairs.  The  second  limb  on  left,  and  second 
and  third  on  right,  forked;  a  break  near  the  trunk,  between  the  third  and 
fourth  limbs  on  the  right;    trunk  cleft  to  fifth  j^air  of  limbs.     R*. 

]N^o.  1''.  Tree  similar,  but  third  limb  on  right  not  forked,  but  long, 
extending  nearly  to  s;    no  break  in  the  tree.     Fig.  13.     R. 

'No.  2^.  Tree  of  8^7,  the  ten  lower  in  pairs.  Seventh  limb  on  left,  and 
third  and  fouith  on  right,  do  not  join  the  trunk,  which  is  heavy  below  the 
second  pair  of  branches,  then  suddenly  contracts.     R^. 

No.  2*".  Tree  similar,  but  all  limbs  join  the  trunk,  which  tapers  gradu- 
ally, and  is  cleft  to  the  sixth  limb  on  the  left.     Fig.  14.     R'^. 

No.  3.  Tree  of  8^7,  ten  lower  in  pairs.  The  lowest  pair  short,  all 
joining  the  trunk,  which  is  solid,  but  heavier  below  the  second  pair  of 
branches.     Plate  II,  No.  2.     R^ 

No.  -1.  Tree  of  7^6,  alternate.  The  limbs  rise  sharply,  and  are  rigidly 
straight;  the  two  lower  are  vei'y  short.  The  trunk  tapers  from  the  ground 
to  the  fourth  limb.     Fig.  15.     R^ 


No.  5.  Tree  of  8^7,  mostly  alternate.  The  second  and  third  on  the 
right  are  forked;  the  trunk  tapers  from  the  ground  to  the  to]).  Plate  II, 
No.  1.     R^ 

No.  6.  Tree  of  6-7,  six  upper  in  pairs.  Trunk  very  tall  below  the 
branches.     Plate  II,  No.  6.     R". 

No.  7.  Tree  of  8  '  8,  mostly  alternate.  Two  lower  limbs  very  light,  that 
at  the  I'ight  forked;   trunk  heavy  to  seventh  limb.     Plate  II,  No.  3.     R^ 


•-.\- 


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V 


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MASSACHUSETTS.  59 

Xo.  8.  Tree  of  -4  ■ -l,  all  in  pairs.  The  limbs  are  very  heavy,  and  curve 
uniformly;  trunk  heavy,  tapering  slightly.  The  only  specimen  we  find  of 
this  variety  is  so  much  clipped  and  worn  tliat  a  full  description  cannot  be 
given.     K". 

No.  9.  Tree  of  6 ''  6,  alternate.  Trunk  heavy,  tapering  to  the  top,  and 
bending  to  the  left.  This  variety  is  as  rare  as  the  last,  and  in  but  little 
better  condition.     Plate  II,  Xo.  5.     H^. 

JSTo.  10.  Tree  of  6^6,  mostly  in  pairs.  The  branches  on  the  light  are 
nearly  horizontal,  and  but  slightly  rising  on  the  left.  The  trunk  tapers  but 
little;  the  points  and  the  grains  of  the  rings  are  very  large  and  heavy. 
Plate  II,  No.  4.     R'. 

No.  11.  Tree  of  7  "7,  alternate  and  irregidar.  The  lower  branch  at  the 
left  is  very  near  the  ground;  the  trunk  is  crooked.  Four  heavy  roots  left  of 
the  trunk  below,  and  two  above  the  ground  at  right,  point  to  the  right.  The 
legend  on  this  variety  is  enclosed  in  a  plain  ring,  not  beaded.  Punctuated 
with  a  point  and  a  group  of  seven.     This  may  ])e  an  early  counterfeit.     R*. 

No.  12.  6^7,  alternate.  The  trunk  tapers  very  slightly;  four  long  light 
roots  below  the  ground,  afid  three  above,  point  to  the  right;  a  pellet  at  each 
side  of  the  trunk.     Point,  and  grouj)  of  seven.     Pig.  l(i.     R. 

No.  13.  Tree  of  4*4,  all  in  jjairs.  The  limbs  are  rather  heavy,  curving 
slightly;  the  trunk  heavy,  tapering  slightly  at  top.  Two  groups  of  four 
each.     R^ 

No.  14.  Tree  of  5 ^ 5,  eight  in  i)aiis.  The  lower  limbs  are  straight  near 
the  trunk,  but  curve  upward  at  the  ends.  The  third  and  fifth  limbs  on  the 
left  are  shoit.     Two  groui)s  of  four  each;    second  gi'oup  joined.     Fig.  17.    R-. 

No.  15.  Tree  of  5 '  ;>,  eight  in  pairs.  The  branches  are  rather  light, 
curving  uniformly;  the  trunk  heavy  to  above  the  third  pair.  The  first  T  is 
defective  at  the  right  of  ci-oss,  and  the  group  of  five,  usually  faint  in  the 
first  and  outer  points,     (iroups  of  five  and  seven.     Plate  II,  No.  7.     R*. 

Ne.  1(5.  Tree  of  5 -5,  all  in  pairs.  Trunk  bulges  at  the  left  near  the 
ground,  and  tapers  very  little  till  near  the  top;  rand  \' double  ciu.  (Ji"ou])s 
of  six  and  seven.     Plate  II,  No.  9.     IV. 

No.  17.  Tree  of  5'.'),  four  lower  in  pairs.  Thi-  trunk  is  nearly  straight 
from  ground  to  tip;  second  a,  \-,  and  s  double  cut.  (iroupsof  scven(y)  and 
six.  The  position  of  tiie  points  in  llu'  first  group  is  such  iliai  there  may 
have  been  two  more  in  the  die,  whicii.  for  some  unknown  reason,  fail  to 
apjH'ar  on   this   coin,  of  wiiicli   we    lind   no  dn|i!icatc.      I'lale    11,  No.  11.      K". 


60  THE    EAKLY    COESTS    OF    AMERICA. 

No.  ]  8.  Tree  of  6 '  7,  alternate.  The  lower  branches  curve  more  at 
their  points;  a  heavy  line  is  between  H  and  v,  and  a  bi-eak  joins  the  fifth 
and  sixth  branches,  near  the  trunk;  another  break  extends  from  the  ground 
to  the  first  s.     Groups  of  seven  and  six.     Plate  II,  Nos.  16  and  18.     Ji*. 

No.  19.  Tree  of  5 '  5,  all  in  pairs.  The  branches  are  nearly  horizontal, 
but  double  curved;  hvs  small.     Two  groups  of  seven.     Plate  II,  No.  19.     R^. 

No.  20.  Tree  of  5^5,  four  lower  in  pairs.  The  trunk  is  irregular; 
second  t  and  i  double  cut;  a  break  extends  from  first  a  to  edge.  Groups 
of  seven  and  eight.     Plate  II,  No.  17.     R\ 

No.  21.  Tree  of  6^5,  six  in  pairs,  others  alternate.  The  trunk  tapers  but 
very  slightly;  the  second  and  third  limbs  on  left  join  at  points;  first  A  and 
second  s,  double  cut.     Groups  of  seven  and  eight.     Plate  II,  No.  14.     R. 

No.  22.  Tree  of  7 "  5,  mostly  alternate.  The  trunk  curves  slightly  to 
the  right;  ring  double  over  as,  h  double  cut.  Groups  of  seven  and  eight. 
Plate  II,  Nos.  13  and  15.  R.  This  variety  was  duplicated  on  the  j)late  by 
mistake.  One  of  these  obvei-ses  should  be  the  same  with  that  of  No.  9,  which 
has  the  revei'se  of  this  as  well  as  the  one  there  given. 

No.  28.  Tree  of  7~^7,  mostly  alternate.  The  trunk  is  nearly  the  same 
size  from  the  ground  to  its  tip,  and  curves  slightly  to  the  left;  two  roots 
under  the  trunk  are  separate  and  low.  Groups  of  eight  and  seven.  Plate  II, 
Nos.  10  and  12.     R\ 

No.  21.  Tree  of  7^6,  two  lower  and  four  upper  in  pairs.  The  trunk 
tapers  gently  to  the  upper  pair  of  limbs,  then  turns  slightly  to  the  left; 
second  A  double  cut,  hvs  small.  Groups  of  eight  and  seven,  each  preceded 
by  a  single  point.     Plate  II,  No.  8.     R^. 

No.  25.  Tree  of  5-5.  Branches  all  in  pairs,  curving  parallel,  full  of 
fine  leaves;  the  trunk  tapers  from  the  ground  to  the  top;  the  legend  is 
not  distinct,  but  probably  is  massatvsets  •  ix  •  This  piece  has  a  modern 
appearance,  and  its  genuineness  is  doubted.     R''. 

SIXPENCES. 

Of  these,  the  only  variety  often  met  with  is  No.  1.  It  is  a  tree  of  4^4, 
the  limbs  all  in  pairs,  the  lower  pair  being  doubly  curved;  the  others  are 
more  nearly  straight.  It  has  a  pellet  at  each  side  of  the  trunk,  like  No.  12 
of  the  Shillings.     Plate  II,  No.  20,  and  Fig.  18.     R. 

No.  2.     Tree  of  4^4?      The    branches    are    covered   with    spines.      The 


MASSACHUSETTS.  61 

only  spL'cimen  of  this  vark'ty  we  have  Ibiind  is  su  iiuieli  wui'ii  and  niis-sli'nek 
that  it  cannot  he  liilly  de.scrihed.  It  may  be  identified  hy  its  pnnetuation, 
which  is  a  colon,  a  group  of  eight,  and  a  colon,  its  reverse  is  from  the  same 
die  with  that  of  No.  1  of  the  oak  tree  sixpences,  1).     Plate   II,  No.  21.     K*. 

tiikp:kpences. 

No.  1  has  a  tree  of  1-4,  and  is  of  a  design  much  like  No.  1  of  the 
Sixpences,  having,  like  that,  a  pciUet  at  each  side  of  the  trunk.  it  is  shown 
on  Plate  II,  No.  23.  No.  22  should  represent  the  same  obverse,  with  the 
reverse  above  it.  This  mistake  was  caused  by  the  misplacing  of  the  o1)verse 
and  reverse  of  No.  23,  which  should  have  been  transposed. 

No.  2-'.  Tree  of  3^4.  The  second  branch  on  the  right  is  i)artly  doiiljle; 
SA  very  close  upon  the  inner  ring.     Group  of  nine.     Plate  II,  No.  24.     R^. 

In  No.  2^  the  only  difference  to  be  noted  in  the  worn  specimen  which 
alone  is  found,  is  in  the  lettei's,  the  first  a  being  narrow,  the  second  heavy, 
SA  higher  than  the  others,  and   ii  double  cut.      R". 

A  few  words  here  in  regard  to  the  '^mint  mark,"  as  the  gioup  of  dots 
or  points  has  been  called. 

It  will  be  seen,  by  reference  to  the  ordiM-  for  the  establishment  of  the 
mint.  May  %  1<).52,  that  one  of  its  requirements  is  that  there  shall  be  stamped 
upon  the  coins  ''a  jirivy  marke  which  shall  be  Appointed  euei-y  three  months 
by  the  Gouno''  and  knowne  only  to  him  and  the  sworni'  officers  of  the  mint." 
The  probability  is  that  these  groups,  dilleriug  in  numl)er,  and  in  the  uihuIht 
of  points  of  which  they  are  composed,  as  well  as  otiu'r  variations  in  tl)e 
punctuation,  are  the  "privy  markes,"  changed  in  aecoidanee  with  this  pro- 
vision ;  nor  is  it  unlikely  that  the  forms  ol"  the  trees,  and  the  jieculiarities  of 
reversed  letters,  which  is  usually  confined  to  the  N  of  in  on  the  obverse,  and 
the  fir>?t  N  of  en(;lan'I),  on  the  reverse,  may  also  have  been  intentional,  and 
with  the  same  design. 

Had  this  regulation  been  .strictly  complied  with  it  would  liasc  necessitated 
at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty  varieties  ol'  each  denomination,  (excepting  the 
I'woiiennies,)  that  is,  supposing  the  coinage  of  all  denominations  to  lia\c  liecn 
continuous,  and  for  the  period  of  tiiirty  years.  'IMie  lunnlier  of  \arit'ties  known 
to  us  falls  so  far  short  of  this  that  it  is  reasonable  to  supjiose  it  to  have 
been  but  jjai-tially  regarded. 


62 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


Attempts  have  been  made  to  cast  ridicule  ii})on  the  coinage  of  this  mint, 
because,  forsooth,  the  devices  adopted  upon  it  do  not  conform  to  the  precise 
pattern  which  some  minds  have  imagined  as  proper  to  be  followed. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  the  records  make  no  mention  of  the  pine  tree  ; 
neither  do  they  specify  any  paiticular  species  of  tree  which  should  be  repre- 
sented, but  leave  it  entirely  optional  with  the  mint  master  as  to  what  tree  he 
would  adopt,  or  to  change  it  as  reason,  fancy,  or  that  clause  of  the  act  relating 
to  a  i^rivy  mark  might  dictate  ;  and  we  think  none  will  hesitate  to  concede 
that  the  i)ine  tree  device  is  a  vast  improvement  upon  most  of  those  which 
preceded  it. 


These  coins  were  known  in  theii-  early  days  as  Boston  or  Bay  Shillings.* 
The  first  application  we  find  of  the  name  of  "  pine  "  to  them  was  in  May,  1680, 
in  a  proposition  to  make  the  mint  free,  (which  will  be  found  upon  another 
page;)  and  it  seems  not  improbable  that  this  name  was  given  them  soon 
after  the  change  from  the  oak  to  the  pine  as  a  device  ;  as  were  there  any 
interest  whatever  taken  in  the  subject  by  the  people  in  general,  (and  it  would 
seem  there  must  have  been,)  so  decided  a  change  must  have  occasioned  remark, 
and  would  natiirally  lead  to  the  application  of  some  popular  name  to  so  popular 
a  commodity,  and  one  from  which  so  much  benefit  was  expected. 

We  find  no  reason  to  believe  that  any  action  Avas  taken  toward  estab- 
lishing a  coinage,  earlier  than  the  year  1652,  notwithstanding  the  existence  of 
certain  Pine  Tree  Shillings   bearing  the  date  of  1650,  these   being   evidently 


^New  York  Records,  1672,  .and  Lambert's  Colony  of  New  Haven,  p.  193. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


63 


nothing  more  than  modern  results  of  the  reprehensible  passion  lor  possessing 
coins  merely  on  account  of  their  rarity,  without  regard  to  their  histoi-ical  value. 
Although  it  has  been  declared  probable  that  these  pieces  "  were  all 
returned  to  the  ci-ucible  in  1052,"  that  assertion  is  the  only  reference  we 
have  found  relating  to  the  issue  of  coin  in  the  colonies  previous  to  the  3'ear 
1(352. 


It  is  thought  that  the  following  letter,  from  Dr.  Ammi  Brown,  of  Boston, 
who  first  brought  these  pieces  into  notice,  will  be  considered  as  sufficient 
confirmation  of  the  opinion  we  have  expressed  regarding  tlicm  : 


Boston,  Septkmhkr  21st,  1808. 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  will  give  you  tiie  history  of  the  1050  Massachusetts 
Shillings  as  correctly  as  my  memory  will  serve  me.  I  have  mislaid  the  letters 
relating  to  them,  but  as  they  would  only  fix  the  date  of  receiving  the  pieces 
they  are  of  no  especial  value  at  this  time. 

In  the  Fall  of  1854,  while  resiiling  in  Salem,  Mass.,  a  young  man  named 

,  from  Boscawen,  Is^.  H.,  called  on  me  and  wanted  to  buy  coins.     I  told  him 

I  did  not  sell,  but  kept  duplicates  for  exchange;  tliat  1  was  niuch  interested 
in  the  colonial  series,  and  desired  to  secure  as  many  varieties  of  ISIassachusetts 
pieces  as  possible  ;  and  if  he  would  find  some  that  I  did  not  possess  1  would 
give  him  Koman  coins,  which  he  nuicli  desired,  in  exchange  i'or  tlu'in. 

lie  appeared  to  have  no  knowledge  whatever  of  numismatics,  but  was 
merely  a  collector  of  curious  pieces.  He  said  he  had  some  of  the  Massachu- 
setts shillings  at  home,  that  he  had  bought  from  an  old  pi'rson  in  New 
Hampshire,  in  a  lot  of  silver,  some  of  which  was  Spanisli,  and  tiiat  I  hi-  dates 
were  1050  and  1052. 

I  told  him  that  he  was  [)rol)ably  mistaken  about  the  dates,  —  tlial  lliey 
were  all  of  1052  ;    but  if  any  w'ere  of  1050  1  should  like  to  have  them.     He 


64  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

offered  to  exchange  a  1650  shilling  for  one  of  my  1652  duplicates  and  a 
Roman  coin  worth  about  fifty  cents.  In  about  a  week  he  sent  by  letter  the 
large  shilling  of  1650,  with  fruit  or  cones  upon  the  branches.  I  returned  by 
mail  what  was  agreed  upon,  and  he  expressed  himself  perfectly  satisfied  with 
the  exchange,  and  said  that  he  would  bring  the  others  and  exchange  them 
also.  A  short  time  after  this  he  called  with  the  other  pieces,  consisting  of 
three  shillings  of  1650,  small  size,  all  fine,  same  die,  but  one  imperfectly  struck, 
and  several  of  1652.  Those  of  1652  were  of  ordinary  types  and  luidoubtedly 
genuine,  being  from  the  same  dies  as  some  in  rjiy  collection.  He  wanted  a 
Massachusetts  Twopence,  very  much,  and  I  gave  it  to  him  for  one  of  the 
shillings  of  1650.  The  market  value  of  a  twopence,  (if  it  could  be  said  to 
have  any,)  at  that  time  was  perhaps  $2.50.  For  thi'  other  two  shillings  of 
1650  I  gave  him  some  Roman  coins,  the  cost  to  me  certainly  not  exceeding 
two  dollars  each.  I  also  obtained,  by  exchange,  two  of  1652,  which  were 
very  fine,  on  very  favorable  terms.  During  the  wintei-  of  1856  or  1857,  after 
I  had  moved  to  Boston,  he  sold  me  a  shilling,  and  I  bought  it  with  the 
understanding  that  it  had  been  altered  from  1652  to  1(550.  It  was  cleverly 
done,  although  I  easily  detected  the  tooling.  I  gave  him  five  dollars  for  it, 
as  he  said  he  had  obtained  it  for  me  of  another  person,  after  some  trouble. 
It  was  in  fine  condition,  and  different  from  any  in  m^-  possession. 

I  saw  him  once  or  twice  after  that,  but  had  no  dealings  with  him.  He 
had  been  among  coin  collectors  and  brokers,  and  I  found  had  got  his  ideas 
somewhat  raised  in  regard  to  the  prices  of  coins.  The  possession  of  these 
pieces  by  me  created  considerable  interest  among  collectors,  some  of  whom 
he  knew  and  had  dealings  with  ;  and  rejiorts  of  their  extreme  rarity  and 
value  must  have  reached  his  ears,  although  I  heard  nothing  from  him  on  the 
subject. 

In  the  year  1858  I  sold  my  collection,  —  the  large  shilling,  one  of  the 
small  ones,  and  the  altered  piece,  passing  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Mickley. 
One  of  the  small  pieces  went  with  the  rest  of  the  collection  to  Mr.  Brooks, 
of  Salem,  who  afterwards  sold  it  to  Mr.  Finotti.  The  third  is  still  in  my 
possession. 

A  short  time  aftei"  I  had  sold  the  pieces  above-named,  I  received  a  letter 

from  Mr. ,  saying  that  he  had  experienced  religion,  and  was  very  sorry 

for  many  things  he  had  done  ;  that  in  oin-  exchange  of  coins  he  had  taken 
advantage  of  me  ;  that  all  the  pieces  he  let  me  have  were  false  ;  and  he 
desired  very  much  to  get  them  again  into  his  possession,  and  make  restitution 


MASSACHUSETTS.  65 

of  the  amount  hv  had  defhuuled  me.  He  enclosed  the  Massachusetts  two- 
pence, and  desired  me  to  return  one  of  the  1(350  shillings,  and  let  him  know 
how  much  money  he  should  send  me  for  the  remaining  pieces,  as  he  had 
parted  with  the  pieces  I  had  given   him. 

There  was  something  about  this  letter  that  did  not  a])pear  exactly  right; 
and  it  occurred  to  me  that,  finding  out  the  value  of  the  pieces,  he  was  willing 
to  acknowledge  himself  a  trickster  for  the  pur])ose  of  obtaining  them  again, 
and  to  test  the  matter  T  cut  one  of  the  1()52  shillings  into  ten  or  fifteen 
pieces,  and  enclosed  them  in  a  letter  to  him,  saying  that  it  would  take  some 
time  for  me  to  obtain  the  others,  as  they  had  passed  out  of  my  hands;  but 
as  soon  as  I  got  them  back  I  proposed  to  mutilate  them  as  T  had  done  with 
that  enclosed,  and  would  send  the  pieces  to  him,  that  I  might  be  sure  no 
other  person  was  deceived  as  I  had  been,  at  the  same  time  asking  him  to 
give  me  some  information  as  to  how,  when,  where,  and  by  whom  thi-y  were 
fabricated.  To  this  letter,  and  to  another  that  I  sent  soon  after,  asking  the 
same  questions,  I  received  no  answer;  nor  did  he  ever  send  any  more  coins 
or  any  money  to  me. 

If  these  pieces  are  fabrications  they  must  have  cost  a  considerable  sum, 
ami  could  only  have  been  made  for  the  ])Mrpose  of  gain.  At  that  time  a 
shilling  of  1(552,  in  fair  condition,  could  l)e  obtained  for  $1.00.  I  imported 
several  fine  ones  from  England  for  .fl..5()  each;  and  a  twopence,  the  finest 
specimen  I  ever  saw,  for  sixty-two  cents.  There  was  no  enthusiam  whatever 
in  regard  to  the  Massachusetts  money.  These  1650  shillings  did  nol  cost  nie 
more  than  .f2.00  each,  and  at  that  time  it  woidd  have  required  large  sales  to 
make  it  pay  as  a  swindle. 

If  the  ])ieces  are  false,  and  his  repentance  sincere,  I  shall  deeply  regret 
having  doubted  him  when  he  offered  to  rej)air  the  wrong  he  had  done;  but 
his  subsequent  course  strengthened  the  susjMcion    1  at    first   entertained. 

I  have  been  offered  .f50.00  for  the  one  1  possess,  by  a  person  who  knows 
all  the. facts  connected  with  it,  but  I  decided  not  to  sell  it  while  any  doubt 
of  its  genuineness  remains.  If  it  is  a  liilii-ication,  it  is  worthless;  iC  genuine^ 
it  is  worth  a  great  deal  more. 

Make  any  use  you  please  of   the    infonnation    herein    conveyed,  if   it    will 

help    to    settle    the    (piestion,  but    do    not  make   any  nu'ntioii  of  Mr.  's 

name  publicly.     AVhatever  he  may  have  bei'ii,  1   have   no  wish   to   |)nbli>b   iiiin. 

Yours,  truly,  Ammi    lii;<>WN. 


66  THE    EARLY   CODSrS    OF   AMERICA. 

Our  belief  in  regard  to  the  transactions  related  in  the  foregoing  letter  is 
that  the  person  from  whom  these  coins  were  obtained  was  honest  in  his 
statement  that  he  had  procured  them  with  a  lot  of  other  silver,  and  that 
neither  he,  nor  the  one  from  whom  he  obtained  thenj,  knew  of  the  non-exist- 
ence of  genuine  pine  tree  money  dated  1650;  but,  that  this  lot  of  silver  had 
previously  belonged  to  some  person  possessed  of  shrewdness  enough  to  know 
that  no  such  coin,  of  that  date,  existing,  if  he  could  produce  one  which  should 
be  believed  to  be  genuine,  it  would  attbrd  him  a  handsome  profit,  even  at 
that  time,  when  the  "coin  fever"  had  not  reached  its  height;  that  he  so  far 
carried  out  his  design  as  to  make,  or  procure,  dies  for  their  production,  and 
had  pieces  struck;  but  that  he  was  prevented,  by  some  caiase,  possibly 
death,  (perhaps  he  experienced  religion  with  a  more  beneficial  effect  upon 
his  life  than  he  who  in  his  letter  claimed  to  have  done  so,)  from  consum- 
mating his  plan,  and   the  coins  were  left  to  be  disposed  of  by   his  executor, 

who  perhaps  was  the  party  from  whom  Mr. received  them.     That  Mr. 

,  after  disposing  of  them,  found  that  they  were  creating  an  excitement 

among  collectors,  and  devised  the  plan  of  jjrocuring  them  again  by  confession 
of  a  2)retended  fraud,  designing  to  dispose  of  them  in  a  more  judicious 
manner,  at  some  future  time,  which  plan  was  frustrated  by  the  quick  percep- 
tion of  his  purpose,  and  the  attempt  to  draw  fi'om  him  the  full  particulars  of 
their  origin. 

We  can  readily  excuse  the  former  owner  of  these  pieces  for  hesitating 
summarily  to  condemn  them  as  foi-geries  without  j^ositive  evidence;  yet  the 
writer  of  the  letter  therein  acknowledges  that  some  person  had  taken  the 
trouble  to  alter  one  of  the  coins  he  bought,  and  has  said  to  us  that  the  three 
small  shillings,  all  of  which  were  from  the  same  dies,  were  the  only  ones  to 
which  the  slightest  credit  could  be  given.  If  these  are  genuine  it  would 
certainly  appear  very  strange  that  three  specimens,  the  only  ones  known, 
should  have  been  preserved  unseparated  for  upwards  of  two  hundred  years, 
or  should  have  again  come  together,  after  a  separation  of  many  years,  with 
no  tradition  proving  any  unusual  interest  attaching  to  them. 

The  fact,  that  from  the  same  source  was  obtained  one  an  acknowledged 
alteration,  and  another  evidently  a  coiuiterfeit,  and  so  pronounced  by  all 
experts  whose  opinions  upon  this  subject  we  have  heard  stated,  as  well  as 
by  Dr.  Brown  himself,  thus  proving  that  pine  tree  coins  had,  at  that  time, 
been  considered  by  counterfeiters  as  worthy  of  their  attention,  together  with 
that  of  no  other  impression  from  the  dies  of  the  smaller  pieces   being   else- 


MASSACHUSETTS.  67 

where  found,  while  three  of  these  .s])riiig-  from  this  deposit,  is  suffieieiit  to 
condemn  the  whole  of  them. 

It  remains  for  us  to  mention  one  other  piece  belonging  to  this  series, 
the  genuineness  of  which  has  been  doubted.  We  refer  to  the  Good  Samar- 
itan Shilling,  whose  claim  to  a  place  among  the  issues  of  this  mint  we 
consider  as  being  fully  established  by  the  specimen  in  the  collection  of  Charles 
I.  Bushnell,  Esq.,  of  New  York.     See  Fig.  22. 

For  the  argument  in  favor  of  this  piece,  which,  had  it  not  been  so  gen- 
erally thought  to  owe  its  origin  to  a  more  recent  jjeriod,  we  should  consider 
as  needing  no  argument  to  establish  its  claim,  we  are  indebted  to  the  kind- 
ness of  the  owner,  and  we  here  give  it  place  in  his  own  words: 

"  The  Good  Samaritan  Shilling  in  my  possession  differs  materially  from 
the  one  formerly  in  the  Pembroke  Collection,  and  from  the  variety  engi'aved 
in  Kuding,  Plate  XXX,  X^o.  10,  reverse  not  given,  the  existence  of  which  is 
very  doubtful.  Ruding  incorporated  the  plates  which  had  l)cen  engraved  for 
the  work  of  Folkes,  so  far  as  they  would  serve  his  purpose,  the  Plate  XXX 
being  one  of  them;  and  he  expressly  says  he  knows  not  on  what  authority 
this  shilling  is  there  given.  Snelling,  in  descril)ing  the  piece,  remarks,  '  It  is 
said  to  be  in  the  Pembroke  Collection,'  proving  that  he  himself  had  never 
seen  it,  (though  his  statement  turned  out  to  be  ti'ue  when  the  collection  was 
dispersed;)  but,  curiously  enough,  in  his  representation  of  it,  '[Fig.  23,] 
copied  the  obvei-se  of  Ruding's,  or  rather,  Folkes's  plate,  and  the  reverse  from 
the  Pembroke  plate,  and  thus,  by  not  copying  both  sides  from  the  latter, 
he  has  given  a  representation  for  which  there  was  no  existing  authority 
whatever,  his  obvei-se  ditfering  from  the  only  known  specimen  in  the  Pem- 
broke Collection  by  having  masatiivsets  °  in  •  o  in  full,  instead  of  only  ix  mas 
with  dots  in  place  of  the  remaining  letters. 

My  specimen  is  not  oidy  uni(jue,  but  is  the  most  perfect.  It  has  a  well- 
executed  representation  of  tlir  incident  of  the  Good  Samaiitaii,  ami  llic  words 
MASATiiV8ETS°ooo  IN:  in  full.  The  subject  is  allowed  to  speak  for  itself,  as  the 
words  '  Fac  simile,'  on  the  specimen  engraved  are  omitted  on  mine.  The 
reverse  has  also  an  important  tlillerence,  the  circumscription  reading  i\  xhw 
ENGLAND  •  ANO  :  and  in  the  centre  x'n  without  the  o  beneath.  It  is,  more- 
over, five  grains  heavier  than  tlu-  Pembroke  one,  and  is  a  i)i'ile(tly  genuine 
struck  coin.  The  i-everse  die  was  evidently  in  the  act  of  liri-aking,  fnmi  a 
flaw,  the  elfect  of  whieli,  while  it  fortunately  destroyed  no  part  of  the 
impression,  in   this  instance   has  an   ap])earance    i-endering  it    |)i'ol)alile   lliat    no 


68 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


other  could  be  struck  from  it.  The  style  of  work  and  letters  correspond, 
moreover,  with  that  on  the  Pine  Tree  Shilling  of  the  same  date. 

I  think  there  is  little  doubt  of  these  having  been  pattern  pieces,  and,  for 
some  reason,  not  adopted  by  the  authorities.  The  fact  of  no  mention  being 
made  of  it  in  the  records  is  no  ai-gument  against  its  genuineness,  for  no  such 
mention  would  in  any  case  be  made  of  pattern  or  trial  pieces,  but  would  be 
confined  entirely  to  those  coins  which  were  intended  for  circulation  as  author- 
ized coinage,  if  indeed  any  such  records  were  so  accurately  made  in  a  new 
and  thinly-populated  state. 

The  catalogue  describes  the  Pembroke  specimen  to  have  been  much 
rubbed ;  mine  is  not  so,  but  only  unevenly  struck,  —  the  last  five  letters  in 
MASATHVSETS  have  not  come  up  as  prominently  as  the  others. 


I  do  not  at  all  consider  the  specimen  in  the  Pembroke  Collection  in  any 
way  spurious,  nor  can  I  attach  the  least  importance  to  the  note  to  the  lot 
describing  it,  in  the  sale  catalogue  of  that  collection,  of  1848.  That  catalogue 
was  drawn  up  by  the  late  Mr.  Burgon,  who  was  chosen  for  this  duty  on 
account  of  his  being  justly  considered  the  most  competent  authority  on 
Greek  and  Roman  coins,  to  which  he  had  directed  his  studies  exclusively, 
thinking  them  alone  worthy  of  his  attention  or  appreciation. 

It  is  also  necessary  to  bear  in  mind  some  particulars  relating  to  the 
Pembroke  Collection.  The  Earl  Thomas,  by  whom  that  celebrated  collection 
was  formed,  succeeded  to  the  title  as  early  as  1688,  and  died  in  1733.  The 
fourth  volume  of  plates  issued  in  his  name  was  not  com{)leted  and  jiublished 
till  171:6,  by  his  son  and  successor.  The  collection,  however,  remained  intact 
until  its  dispersion  by  the  present  earl,  in  1848,  under  the  superintendence  of 
his  half  brother,  Mr.  Sidney  Herbert,  —  the  earl  being  a  constant  resident 
abroad,  which  may  probably  account  for  the  collection  being  wholly  unknown. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  69 

except  tlirough  the  volume  of  lliG;  indeed,  it  seems  seldom,  if  ever,  to  have 
been  exhibited  since  the  decease  of  the  original  collector,  for  Snelliny,  wlien 
publishing  his  work,  had  no  access  to  it,  and  obtained  all  his  information 
from  the  plates;  and,  in  fact,  when  he  speaks  of  coins  said  to  be  existing  in 
the  Pembroke  Collection,  acknowledges  that  he  had  no  oi)])ortunity  of  judging 
for  himself  in  the  matter.  I  cannot  give  the  date  of  the  birth  of  the  Eai'l 
Thomas,  but  as  he  succeeded  his  brother  in  1(383,  [his  father  having  died  as 
early  as  l()(5i),]  the  latter,  at  least,  must  have  been  living  at  the  date  of  this 
coin  or  ])att('rn. 

I  am  to  a  considerable  extent  justified  in  regarding  it  as  genuine,  in  the 
absence  of  anything  like  proof  to  the  conti-ary,  as  there  could  be  no  motive 
or  intei-est  to  be  gratified  by  fabricating  a  spurious  piece  relating  to  a  dis- 
tant possession  of  so  very  recent  date  as  was  1652,  at  the  time  when  the 
collection  was  formed. 

Ruding's  Plate  XXX,  first  published  by  Polkes  in  17(53,  is  not  copied  from 
the  Pembroke  plate,  as  it  is  altogether  different;  and  although  the  sj^ecimen 
it  purports  to  represent  may  not  be  now  known,  I  cannot  think  that  any  one 
will  venture  the  supposition  that  so  eminent  a  gentleman  and  anti(|uaiy  as 
was  Sir  Martin  Polkes,  could  have  published  such  a  piece  without  having 
sufficient  authority  for  so  doing. 

Snelling's  engraving  goes  for  nothing,  as  he  had  seen  no  specimen;  but 
finding  such  good  authority  for  the  existence  of  the  piece,  he  could  not  but 
notice  it  without  damage  to  the  completeness  of  his  work,  and  therefoi-e 
copied  the  obverse  from  Polkes  and  the  revei-se  from  Pembroke. 

Now  comes  the  specimen  I  have,  differing  li-oni  tlie  Pt-nibroki",  and  live 
grains  heavier;  from  Polkes,  and  also  from  Wyatt's  even.  1  am  quite  at  a 
loss  to  conceive  what  the  inducement  lould  be  for  fabricating  a  piece  of  so 
little  interest  and  value,  for  certainly  until  very  recently  it  could  possess 
neither;  yet,  before  the  least  attention  could  be  attracted  to  its  existenci',  here 
are  evidently  two  pieces  struck  from  dies  altogether  dillri-eiit,  —  the  I'cmltroke 
and  mine,  to  say  nothing  of  Polkes. 

It  could  never  answer  to  coin  spurious  specimens  in  siuh  small  niiinhers, 
as  that,  after  the  lapse  of  two  centuries,  only  two  specimens  alone  should  be 
known,  and   liolli  ortlicst;  uni(nie  varieties. 

1  am  in  the  l)elief  that  they  were  pattern  pieces,  struck  and  snbniittcd 
when  the  issue  of  a  coinage  was  first  contemplated  in  the  colony;  and  this 
supposition  will  alone  account  for  the  unfinislu-d  character  and  rarity  of  these 


70  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

jjieces,  and,  since  they  were  not  .adopted,  for  the  absence  of  any  mention  of 
them  u])on  the  records. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  date  side  of  the  Pine  Tree  Shillings  is  different 
and  more  complete  than  is  the  corresponding  side  of  eithei'  of  the  pieces  in 
question. 

The  die  from  which  mine  is  struck  was  evidently  soon  broken;  probably 
no  other  could  have  been  struck  from  it,  hence  the  necessity  for  a  new  one 
being  made,  even  for  the  limited  service  of  a  pattern. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  it  was  pai'ticularly  the  custom  to  strike 
pattern  pieces,  —  witness  those  for  the  entire  sets  of  silver  for  the  Common- 
wealth coinage,  by  Ramage  and  by  Blondeau,  the  former  the  most  beautiful, 
while  the  design  of  the  latter  was  adopted.  Now  all  these  pattei-ns  wei-e 
struck  in  1651,  and  are  now  much  in  recpiest,  and  always  ])roduce  high 
prices." 

We  can  only  add  to  the  foregoing  statement  that,  having  examined  the 
Good  Samaritan  Shilling,  we  can  with  confidence  say  that  the  piece  is  of  a 
character  agreeing  with  other  coins  of  that  period,  and  bears  no  evidence  of 
having  been  tampered  with,  but,  on  the  contrary,  was  evidently  sti'uck  from 
dies.  A  certain  proof  that  it  could  have  been  no  alteration  from  the  common 
issues  of  that  date  is  found  in  the  legend  upon  the  reverse,  it  being  in  new 
ENGLAND  •  ANO  : ,  which  is  found  upon  none  of  the  Oak  or  Pine  Tree  Shillings. 

Much  trouljle  being  occasioned  by  the  exportation  of  the  issues  of  this 
mint  in  such  quantities  as  to  increase  the  scarcity  of  silver  coin  in  the  colo- 
nies, as  a  means  of  preventing  its  loss  to  the  country,  the  Court,  on  the  22d 
of  August,  1654,'  passed  an  order  for  preventing  the  exportation  of  this  specie 
in  any  amount  exceeding  twenty  shillings,  which  we  here  copy: 

1654  22  August.  "Itt  is  Ordered  by  this  Court  and  the  Authoritje 
thereof,  that  no  Inhabitant  of  this  Jurisdiccon,  or  strannger,  shall  from 
henceforth  send.  Carry,  or  transport  out  of  this  Jurisdiccon,  directly  or 
Indirectly,  by  sea  or  land,  any  of  the  mony  that  hath  binn  or  shall  be  Cojned 
w"'in  this  Jurisdiccon,  except  twenty  shillings  for  necessary  expences,  on 
the  pamalty  of  Confiscation,  not  only  of  such  money  so  cojned,  but  also 
all  the  vissible  estate  of  him  that  shall  any  way  be  found  sending  or  export- 
ing any  of  the  Cojne  aforesajd,  one  third  whereof  shall  be  to  the  vse  of  the 
Informer,  or  officer,  the  other  two  thirds  to  the  Countrje  ;    and  that  this  lawe 

'  ."\Iassachusotts  Kecords,  vol.  iv,  \\  174,  and  vul.  iii,  ]>.  430. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  71 

may  be  duely  observed  and  executed,  Peter  Oliiier  and  .In"  Barrell  lor 
Boston,  Jacob  Greene  for  Chai-le.s  Tonne,  George  Willjams  and  Samuel 
Archer  for  Salem,  Robert  Lord  loi-  Ipswich,  Henry  Rice  for  Sudbury,  Henry 
Sherborne  for  Piscataque,  and  Hercules  Hawkins  foi'  tlie  He  of  Shoales,  are 
heereby  Appointed  and  Authorized  as  serchers  to  examine  and  search  all 
psons,  vessells,  Packs,  truncks,  chests,  boxes,  or  the  like,  that  shallbe  trans- 
porting out  of  this  Jurisdiccon,  and  finding  any  mony  shall  seaze  tlie  same, 
and  forthwith  Informc  the  next  magistrate  thereof,  who  shall  Issue  out 
his  warrant  for  the  present  seazure  of  the  whole  vissible  estate  of  the  partje 
so  transporting  contrary  to  this  lawe,  for  the  vse  of  the  Coinon-wealth  and 
partje  seazing  or  Informing,  as  is  above  exprest.  And  Itt  is  heereby  further 
declared,  that  all  such  masters,  marriners,  or  other  persons  that  shallbe  found 
to  be  jM-ivy  or  Consenting  to  the  exporting  of  any  of  the  Cojne  aforesajd  out 
of  this  Jurisdiccon,  he  or  they  shall  for  euery  such  oftence  lorfeite  the  some 
of  twenty-pounds  a  peece,  to  be  to  the  vses  aforesajd  :  and  the  sajd  Serchers 
are  to  take  the  oath  for  searchers,  only  insteede  of  halfe,  a  tliird  p'tc  to  l)e 
Inserted,  and  to  certify  the  next  magistrate  insteed  of  the  Auditor.  And  in 
all  other  Tonnes  the  Constables  are  by  tlieire  oathes  bound  to  see  to  the 
exiicutjon  of  this  order." 

It  does  not  appear  that  this  action  of  the  Coui-t  had  the  desii-cd  ctrcct, 
as  we  find  the  same  trouble  repeatedly  referred  to  on  later  pages  of  the 
Records. 

irnder  the  impression  that  the  agreement  with  the  mint  masters  was  too 
favorable  to  them,  action  was  taken  by  the  Court,  under  date  of  October  1(3, 
1(3(30,'  with  the  intention  of  obtaining  terms  more  advantageous  to  the  country, 
namely:  "Itt  is  Ordered  :  that  Cap!  Gookin  &  y"  Tresurer,  m'  Antiiony  Stod- 
dard, &  m'  w'"  Parks,  shall  be  a  Coiiiittee  &  are  hereby  Imijowred  to  treate 
w'"  the  miiitmastcr  lor  Allowing  such  an  Annuall  soine  as  may  be  Agreed 
vpon,  as  a  meete  honorarium  to  the  Country  for  the  yeai-ely  bennefitt  they 
receive  by  minting,  that  so  the  Country  may  Reape  some  bennelitt  after  so 
long  a  forbcai-ance,  hauiug  (iiven  them  the  bennefit  thereol"  lor  the  tjme 
l)ast,  or  otherwise  to  declare  that  this  Court  Intends  to  agree  w"'  some 
other  mccte  person  to  minte  the  money  of  this  Country;  making  lluiie 
rcpoil    to  ilic  next  Court  what  they  shall   dnc   licci-ciu." 

In    ohscrvaucc  of   this    ordci-   the    committee    icportcd    in    these    words:''' 

'  ^lasslu■luls(■tts  Hccoifls,  vol.  iv,  p.  351.     -Archives,  \(il.  c,  p.  79. 


72  THE   EARLY   COESrs    OF   AMERICA, 

"Returne  of  the  Comittee  impoured  to  treat  w""  the  mint  master, 
wee  havie,  acording  to  order,  treated  w*  the  mint  masters,  m"^  Hull  &  m"^  San- 
derson, and  find  y""  vtterly  viiwilling  to  pay  any  certaine  pportion  to  ye 
country  of  the  allowance  paid  them  for  coyning  mony;  only  they  offered 
tenn  pounds  as  a  free  gift  to  the  country  in  Case  they  will  please  to  accept 
it;  but  the  coinitte  refused  that  j)fter,  aledging  that  the  vse  of  the  mint  & 
house  i-equired  in  justice  some  certaine  pt  of  the  income  recvd  by  y'",  w"** 
vpon  examination  wilbe  found  to  bee  (62')  vpon  euery  thousand  pound;  out 
of  w'^"  the  coiTiity  ppounded  they  should  allow  one  twentieth  part  for  the 
country:  but  they  consented  not  this  is  the  psent  state  of  that  affaire,  leaning 
it  to  the  court  to  take  such  further  order  therein  as  vnto  y"'  seemes  meet, 
datted  the  ()th  of  June  1661. 

The  deputyes  thinke  meete  that  this  Comittee 
be    reimpowred    to   treat  w"'  the    mintmaster,  &   to 

receive   the    ten   pound    aboue    mentioned    &  what  Daniel  Gookin 

else   they  can    gett   by  way  of  recompenc    for  the  Richard  Russell, 

mint  howse  for  the  time  past,  &  y'  it  be  deliuered  Anthony  Stoddard 

to  the  Treasurer  to  be  bestowed  in  powder  &  oill,  William  Park 

with    reference  to  the  Consent  of  o":  Hon"^;'  magists 
hereto.  William  Torrey  Cleric. 

7  June  1661  :    Consented  to  by  the  magists. 

Edward  Rawson  Secret. 

The  foregoing  is  copied  from  the  oi'iginal  return  made  by  tlie  committee, 
and  it  will  be  noticed  that  it  bears  date  the  6th  and  7th  of  June,  while  the 
entry  upon  the  book  of  the  secretary  is  under  the  date  of  May  22d.'  The 
decision  of  the  Court  thereon  is  recorded  as  follows  :  "  The  Court  Judged 
it  meet  to  order  that  this  Coinittee  should  be  reimpowred  to  ti-eate  w""  the 
mint  maste''s,  &  to  Receiue  the  ten  pounds  aboue  mentioned,  &  what  else 
they  Cann  Gett  by  way  of  Recompence  for  the  mint  house  for  the  tjme  past, 
&  that  it  be  deliuered  to  the  Tresurer  to  be  bestowed  in  ponder." 

The  Shillings,  Sixpences,  and  Threepences  which  were  issued  from  this 
mint,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  the  N  E  type,  (which  bore  no  date,)  all 
bear  the    date  of   the    establishment  of  the    mint,  1652,   (which    circumstance 

'Massachusetts  Keconls,  vol.  iv,  j).  375. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  73 

was  one  of  the  objections  urged  against  the  mint,  by  its  enemies,)  although 
it  is  altogether  likely  that  their  coinage  continued  from  that  year  to  the  3^ear 
1(382  ;  but  when  the  Twojienny  pieces  were  coined,  the  date  of  1()(32  was 
placed  upon  them,  that  being  the  date  of  the  year  in  which  the  order  by 
authority  of  which  they  were  struck  was  issued  ;  and  these  bear  no  other 
date . 

The  coinage  of  these  pieces  was  ordered  to  continue  for  seven  years, 
but  it  seems  certain,  from  the  mention  made  of  them  by  John  Hull,  in  his 
paper  of  June  Gth,  1680,  (to  be  given  on  a  later  page,)  that  they  continued 
to  be  coined  for  a  much  longer  time.  The  small  size  of  the  dies,  and  their 
consequent  durability,  may  account  for  the  absence  of  varieties  other  than 
those  caused  by  i-epairs  of  the  reverse  die,  from  among  them.  The  draught 
of  the  order  for  their  coinage  is  still  preserved  in  the  Massachusetts  Archives,' 
though  in  a  somewhat  mutilated  condition,  [see /ac  simile,  facing  page  41,1 
a  copy  of  which  we  next  present  : 

It  is  ordered  by  this  court,  and  the  mint  master  is  hereby  inioynt 
of  the  first  Bullion  that  comes  to  his  hand,  to  coyne  two  pen 
of  Siluei-,  in  i)roportion  according  to  the  iust  vallew  &  alloy  of 
monys,  alowed  here,  to  answer  the  occasions  of  the  contrey  for  exch 
that  is  the  first  yeare  fifty  pounds  in  such  small  mony  for  cue 
pounds  by  him  to  be  coyned  ;    &  for  after  time  twenty  pounds  in  lik 
mony  aimal}'  for  euei-y  hundred  pounds,  that  shalbe  coyned 
order  is  to  continue  in  force  for  seauen  yeares.  any  law 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding  .  The  magists  haue  past  this  w"'  Ref 
erence  to  the  Consent  of  thi'ir  brethi-cn  the  Deputys  hereto. 

Boston  .  K)  •  May   10(32.  Edw  •  Kawson  Secrety. 

Consented  to  by  the  depu'."  William  Toiiukv  Cleric." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  same,  as  entered  ii|i()ii  tlie  Court  records:'^ 

"It  is  Ordered  by  this  Court,  &  the  mint  master  is  hereby  ciijoviud  out 

of  the    first    ])ulli()ii    that  Comes  to  his    hand  to  Coyne    two    penny  j)eeces  of 

Siluer,  in  proportion  to  the  just  value  &  allay  of  other  monys  allowed  lu-ci-e. 

to  Answer  the  occasions  of  the  Coimtry  for  exchange  ;  that  is  tlu'   Mist    yeare 


'  Vi)l.  c,  ]).  86.         ^'Massaclnisctts  Hruonls,  vol.  iv,  j..  4((L 


74  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

fifty  pounds  in  such  smale  money  for  euery  hundred  pounds  by  him  to  be 
Coyned,  &  for  after  time  twenty  pounds  in  lik  smale  money  Annually  for 
euery  hundred  pounds  that  shall  be  Coyned.  &  this  order  is  to  Continew  in 
force  for  Seuen  yeares,  any  lawe  to  the  Contrary  notw'^'standing." 

The  first  of  the  preceding  copies  must  be  considered  as  besiring  the 
correct  date  of  the  passage  of  this  act,  althoiigh  it  is  entered  iipon  the 
records  under  date  of  May  7th,  which  was  that  of  the  commencement  of 
that  session  of  the  Court,  and  the  only  one  recorded  during  the  session, 
which  date  has  accordingly  been  quoted  as  that  of  its  passage. 

No  authority  is  to  be  found  for  the  coinage  of  a  piece  of  the  value  of 
a  penny,  although  Sir  Martin  Folkes,  whose  work  was  published  in  1763, 
gives  an  illustration  of  a  piece  purj)orting  to  be  such  ;  yet  if  any  pieces  of 
this  denomination  were  ever  coined,  none  are  known  to  have  descended  to 
our  time. 


•-'4 


The  ilhistration  given  by  Folkes  [Plate  XXX,  No.  U  — see  Fig.  2i,] 
somewhat  resembles  a  pine  tree,  and  bears  date  1652  ;  while  two  specimens 
now  known,  and  claimed  to  be  genuine  and  original  pennies,  are  of  the  oak 
tree  variety,  as  are  all  the  twopenny  pieces,  certainly  from  the  same  obverse 
die  with  them,  and,  like  them,  are  dated  1(562. 

Both  these  pieces,  though  differing  slightly  from  each  other  in  the  date 
and  numerals,  while  one  of  them  has  a  pellet  at  each  side  of  its  numeral, 
bear  so  strong  a  resemblance  on  the  reverse,  to  the  twopenny  pieces,  (the 
obverse  die  being  identical  with  them,)  as  to  render  it  almost  certain  that 
they  have  been  altered  from  coins  of  that  value. 

The  fact  that  one  of  these,  the  only  one  the  weight  of  which  we  have 
been  able  to  ascertain,  (although  from  a  rubbing  of  the  other,  in  our  posses- 
sion, we  should  judge  its  size,  and,  from  our  recollection  of  it,  its  weight,  to 
be  about  the  same,)  is  eleven  grains,  being  but  one  grain  less  than  the  legal 
weight  of  the  twopenny  piece,  renders  it  still  more  certain  that  they  were 
coined  for  pieces  of  the  same  value.  It  would  certainly  be  an  anomaly  in 
the  history  of  coinage  to  issue  two  silver  coins  from  the  same  mint,  the 
smaller  of  which  was  but  half  the  nominal  value  of  the  larger,  while  contain- 
ino"  an  amount  of  silver  but  one-twelfth  less  than  it. 


MASSACIIL'SKTTS.  75 

111  this  year,  1()()2,  oc-c-un-ed  {hv  iiu-idciit  whidi  gave  rise  to  the  anecdote 
about  Sir  Thomas  Teinj)le,'  which  ha.^  been  so  often  related,  the  truth  oi"  which 
is  by  some  doubted,  and  is  called  by  Kuding- a  "ridiculous  story."  The  fact 
of  the  exhibition  of  the  money  at  the  council  table  is  proved  by  the  extract 
from  a  draught  of  an  address  to  the  king,  which  follows  the  story  noAv  to  be 
related.  \\  liat  remarks  this  occurrence  provoked  must  remain  unknown, 
unless  their  gist  was  correctly  reported  in  this  anecdote. 

"Sir  Thomas  Temple,  brother  to  Sir  William,  resided  several  years  in 
New  England  during  the  interregiiiun.  After  the  Restoration  he  i-eturned 
to  England.  The  king  sent  for  him,  and  conversed  with  him  on  the  state  of 
affairs  in  the  Massachusetts,  and  discovered  great  warmth  against  that  colony  ; 
among  other  things,  he  said  they  had  invaded  his  ])rer()gative  by  coining 
money.  Sir  Thomas,  who  was  a  real  fi-iend  to  the  colony,  told  his  majesty 
the  colonists  had  hut  little  acquaintance  with  law  ;  that  they  had  no  ill 
design,  and  thought  it  ikj  crime  to  make  money  for  their  own  use.  In  the 
course  of  the  conversation  Sir  Thomas  took  somt;  ol"  the  money  out  of  his 
pocket,  and  presented  it  to  the  king.  On  one  side  of  the  coin  was  a  pine 
tree,  of  that  sort  which  is  thick  and  bushy  towards  the  top.  Charles  inquired 
what  tree  that  was?  Sir  Thomas  informed  him  it  was  the  royal  oak;  adding, 
that  the  Massachusetts  peo])le,  not  daring  to  put  his  majesty's  name  on  their 
coin,  (lining  the  late  troubles,  liad  impressed  upon  it  the  emblem  ol'  the  nak 
which  preserved  his  majesty's  lil'c.  This  account  ol"  the  matter  put  the  king 
into  good  humor,  and  disposed  him  to  hear  what  Sir  Thomas  had  to  say  in 
their  favor,  calling  them  a   parcel   (jf  honest  dogs. 

"  111  '  A  collection  of  original  papers  relative  to  the  history  of  the  cohmy 
of  Massachusetts  Bay,'  pul)lished  at  Boston,  1769,  the  Ibllowing  descrijjtion 
of  this  money,  by  Edward  Uaudolph,  is  inserted  : 

"'As  a  marke  of  soveraignty  they  coin  mony,  stamped  with  inscription, 
'Mattachusets,'  with  a  tree  in  the  centre,  (m  the  one  side,  and  'New  Knglaiid,' 
with  the  year  l()o2,  and  the  value  of  the  juece,  on  the  reverse.  All  the 
money  is  stamped  with  these  ligures,  1(552,  that  year  being  the  era  of  the 
common-wealth,  wherein  they  erected  themselves  into  a  fi-ee  state,  enlai-ged 
their  dominions,  snbjcdcd  the  a<ljaceiit  colonics  iindrr  their  obedience,  and 
summoned  deputies  to  sit  in  the  general  court  ;  which  year  is  still  conmu'in- 
orated   on   their  coin.' 

'  IloilisV  .Mc-nioirs,  vol.  i,  ]>]>.  897,  398.         «¥(>!.  i,  \>.  4Ui. 


76  THE    EARLY   COIN'S    OF    AMERICA. 

"  This  is  extracted  from  a  long  invidious  narrative,  sent  by  this  Randolph, 
(who  appears  to  have  been  a  court  spy  upon  the  people  of  Massachusetts,) 
in  the  year  167(3,  to  '  the  right  honorable  Lords  of  his  Majesty's  most  honor- 
able privy  council,  appointed  a  committee  for  trade  and  plantations.' 

"  The  editor  of  this  '  collection,'  in  a  marginal  note  upon  the  latter  of 
these  paragraphs,  says,  '  This  is  a  misrepresentation.  The  first  money  of  this 
impi-ess  being  stamped  in  1652,  they  never  altered  the  date,  although  they 
stamped  more  annually  for  thirty  years  together.' 

"Some  of  this  money  must  be  yet  in  being.  It  is  not  improbable  but 
Mr.  HoUis  must  have  liad  some  of  it.  A  professed  antiquary  vv^ill,  in  some 
remote  ])eriod,  seek  for  it  with  avidity." 

In  the  Massachusetts  Archives^  we  find  this  passage,  written  October  30, 
1684,  which  proves  the  foregoing  anecdote  to  have  some  foundation  in  fact, 
even  if  not  wholly  correct  :  "And  as  for  the  minting  or  stamping  pieces  of 
Silver  to  pass  amongst  our  selves  for  xii!",  vi'.',  ill'',  Ave  were  necessitated  there- 
unto, having  no  staple  Coinodity  in  our  Country  to  pay  debts  or  l)uy  neces- 
saries, but  Fish  &  Corn;  which  was  so  cumbersom  &  troublesom  as  could 
not  be  boi-n.  And  therefore  for  some  years  Paper-Bills  passed  for  payment 
of  Del)ts;  w'^''  wei'e  very  subject  to  be  lost,  rent,  or  counterfeited,  &  other 
inconveniences.  Then  comes  in  a  considerable  quantity  of  light  base  Spanish 
Money,  whereby  many  people  were  cousened,  and  the  Colony  in  danger  of 
being  undon  thereby;  Which  put  vs  upon  the  project  of  melting  it  down,  & 
stamping  such  pieces  as  aforesaid  to  pass  in  paym*  of  Debts  amongst  our 
selves.  Nor  did  we  know  it  to  be  against  any  Law  of  England,  or  against 
His  Majesties  Will  or  pleasui-e,  till  of  late  ;  Imt  rather  that  there  was  a  tacit 
allowance  &  approbation  of  it.  For  in  1662,  when  our  first  Agents  were  in 
England,  some  of  our  Money  was  showed  by  Sir  Thomas  Temple  at  the 
Council-Table,  and  no  dislike  thereof  manifested  by  any  of  those  right  honour- 
able Persons  :    much  less  a  forliidding  of  it." 

There  seem  to  have  been  no  proceedings  against  the  mint,  taken  by 
the  king  or  his  emissaries,  sufficient  in  importance  to  cause  much  api)rehension 
in  the  minds  of  the  colonists,  until  1665,  wl»en,  in  May,  recorded  at  the  8th,^ 
the  king's  commissioners  sent  the  following  letter  to  the  General  Court  : 

"  Gentlemen  :  Wee  in  his  Majestjes  name  desire  a  booke  of  your  lawes 
may  be  sent  vs,  that  wee  may  haue  the  pervsall  of  yo""  lawes,  that  such  as  are 


iVol.  cvi,  i>.  336.         ^Massac-lmsotts  lieconls,  vol.  iv,  |>.  500. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


77 


against  this  act,  &  suc-h  as  arc  Contrai-y  &  derogatory  tu  tlic  king's  authority 
&  Gouernment,  mentionud  in  his  gracious  letter  of  June  28"',  1G()2,  may  be 
anulled  &  repealed." 

The  commissioners,  having  received  and  examined  the  book  of  laws,  on 
the  2J:th  of  May,  l(i()5,  addressed  another  letter  to  the  Court,  fi-oni  which  we 
give  extracts:'  "Vpon  pervsall  of  the  l)ookc  entituled  the  booke  of  the  Generall 
Lawes  &  libertjes  Concerning  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Massachusets,  wee  finde 
Just  reason  to  propose  in  his  Majestjes  name,  that  these  ensuing  alterations 
&  necessary  additions  be  made."  Here  follows  a  list  of  twenty-six  articles 
which  they  require  to  be  repealed  oi-  amended,  of  which  the  twenty-second 
is,  "That  page  61,  title  money,  the  law  y'  a  mint  house,  &c.,  be  repealed,  for 
Coynig  is  a  Royall  ]irerogatiue,  for  the  vsurpiug  of  which  y"  act  of  indem- 
nity is  only  a  Salvo." 

The  copy  of  the  law  referred  to  in  this  letter  is  so  ncaily  a  repetition 
of  the  acts  already  printed,  on  pages  86,  37,  70,  and  71,  that  it  will  l)c  unne- 
cessary to  copy  it  here. 

The  colonists,  hoping  to  avert  the  wrath  of  the  king,  who  had  now  begun 
to  make  his  displeasure,  on  account  of  the  mint,  felt  by  them,  though  not  on 
that  account  only,  decided,  as  a  means  ol"  proi)itiation,  to  send  him  a  present. 
Accordingly  an  order  was  jiassed,  May  18th,  1665,-  for  something  "in  the 
best  Coiriodity  that  may  l)c  piocurcd  in  this  liis  Colony,  meete  for  ti-aiispoi- 
tatioii  &  accoiiiodation  ot  liis  [Majestje's  Navy  to  the  value  oi"  live  hundri'd 
pounds."  This  order  was  not  eileetual  at  this  time,  probably  owing  to  "  The 
occ-asions  of  the  Country  calling  for  more  than  ordinary  disburse  this  yeere." 

The  subject  recurs,  on  September  11th,  1666,'  when  "two  very  large 
masts  "were  ordered;  and  on  October  10th,  1666,^  "a  shi[)ps  loading  more 
to  be  bought  &  Contracted  for,"  as  a  present  for  the  next  year. 

These  were  obtained  and  sent  in  the  ship  "  Koyall  Exchange,"  under 
the  charge  of  Capt.  .John  Pierce,  to  be  presented  to  the  king,  by  agents  in 
England,  together  wilii  siiilahle  letters  declaring  their  coiitiinud  loyalty  and 
respect  to  his  majesty. 

Hull  refers  to  these  gilts,  in  his  Diary,'  under  date  of  Se])tember  12th, 
16()<)  :  "They  concluded  to  write,  and  send  a  present,  two  brave  masts,  but 
sent  no  person  to  answei-  in  our  behalf;"  and,  May,  1()<)8,''  "The  Generall 
Court  sent  a  shipload  of  masts  as  a  present  to  the  king's  majesty." 

•.Massacliiisi-lts  Hi.coi.U,  vol.  iv.  ],.  .olli  ;  -'vol.  i\,  \<.  4(W  ;  ^vol.  iv.  li.  r)7.'>  ;  '•vnl.  iv,  p.  5S0. 
•'•  ('i)ll.  Atiicr.  Antiii.  Soc.,  \ii|.  iii.  p.  ■J.-J.H  :  ''']>.  'I'll. 


78  THE    EARLY   CODfS   OF    AMERICA. 

Notwithstanding  the  protest  of  the  commissioners,  the  law  relating  to 
the  mint  was  not  repealed,  but  on  the  15th  of  May,  1667,'  another  committee 
was  api^ointed  to  treat  with  the  mint  master,  as  appears  in  the  order  next 
quoted  : 

"  m"^  Thomas  Danforth,  Majo"^  General!  Jn"  Leueret,  Capt  Georg  Coruin, 
m"^  Anthony  Stoddard,  &  m''  w'"  Parks,  are  A])])ointed  a  Coiiiittee  to  treat  & 
Agree  w"'  the  master  or  masters  of  the  mint  in  retference  to  some  allowance 
anually,  or  otherwise,  for  &  in  Consideration  of  the  charge  the  Country  hath 
binn  at  in  erecting  a  mint  house,  &  foi-  the  vse  of  it  for  so  many  yeares 
w"'out  any  Considerable  sattisfaction,  &  to  make  returne  thereof  to  the  next 
session  of  this  Court  ;  and  in  Case  they  Cannot  Agree  w"'  the  present  mint 
masters,  they  are  Impowred  to  make  such  agreement  as  they  Cann  w"'  any 
other." 

The  report  of  the  above-mentioned  committee  is  recorded  under  date  of 
October  9th,  1667  : '' 

"  Boston,  in  IS^ew  England,  October  l**",  1(567. 

In  Oliservance  of  an  oi'der  of  the  Generall  Court  held  the  15"'  of  Ma}', 
1667,  nominating  &  Im])owring  vs,  whose  names  are  subsci-ibed,  to  treat 
&  agree  w"'  the  master*  of  the  mint,  w^ee  hauing  duely  weighed  the  Country** 
Interest  in  the  jediffices  appei-teyning  to  the  sajd  office,  and  Agitated  the 
mattei-  w"'  m"^  Jn"  Hall  &  m""  Robert  Saundei'son,  the  present  mint  mastei's,  haue 
agreed  w"'  them  as  foUoweth,  namely  :  In  Consideration  of  the  Country'*  dis- 
bursments  on  the  sajd  aediffices,  &  for  the  Interest  the  Generall  Court  hath 
therein,  to  pay  vnto  the  publick  Tresui-y,  w"'in  sixe  months  next  Coming, 
forty  pounds  in  money,  &  for  seven  yeares  next  Coming  [the  sajd  Hull  & 
Saunderson,  oi-  either  of  them,  personally  abiding  in  the  sajd  Imploy,]  to 
allow  the  publick  Tresury  annually,  in  money,  tenn  pounds  ;  the  sajd  terme 
to  beginne  from  the  date  abcTiie  named.  In  witnes  hereof  the  sajd  Hull  and 
Saunderson  haue  herevnto  put  their  hands,  the  day  &  yeare  aboue  written. 

Jn"  Leueret 
John  Hull,  Tho:  Danforth, 

Robert  Sanderson.  Anthony  Stoddard, 

W" :  Parke. 
The  Court  thankfully  acknowledgeth    the  good  service  of  the 
Gent"  subscribers  in  the  premisses,  and  order  It  to  be  recorded. 

'Massachusetts  Records,  vol.  iv,  p.  .584  ;  -Aol.  iv,  p.  591. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  79 

Another  ordiT  was  passed,  May  liHh,  1GG9,'  with  intention  siniilai-  to  tliat 
of  Augnst  22d,  IGa-i,  and  probal)lj  with  no  more  etlecl  in  remedying  the 
evil.     It  here  follows  : 

"  Order  to  prenent  exportation  of  money  out  of  tliis  Jurisdiction  :  fibr 
the  better  Execution  of  the  Law,  page  (52  :  sec?  :  2  :  for  llic  restrainng  the 
Exportation  of  money,  it  is  ordered  by  this  Court  &  the  Antlioi-ity  liereof, 
that  the  persons  hereafter  named,  viz': 

"For  Boston,  Capt:  James  OUiuer  &  m'  Thomas  Brattle,  oi-  either  of 
them;  For  eharls  towne,  Captaine  John  Allen;  For  Salem,  m'  Edmond  Batter; 
For  Piscattaqua,  m'  Elias  Stileman  ;  For  mai'ble  head,  m"^  Samuell  Ward  ;  For 
Dedham,  Ensigne  fflsher  ;  For  Braintiy,  moses  Paine  ;  Foi-  Malboro,  William 
Kerley  ;    For  Springfeild,  Lawrence  Bliss. 

"Bee  all  &  euery  of  them  appointed,  impowred  &  recpiired  to  search  for 
&  seize  all  moneyes  of  the  Coyne  of  this  Jnrisdiction  that  shall  bee  found  oi- 
discouered  in  any  ship,  or  any  othei-  uessell,  that  hath  weighed  Anchor  to 
depart  from  tliat  I'ort  w'here  shee  ladeth,  or  all  such  money  that  shall  bee 
found  in  any  person's  pocket,  cloake,  bag,  Portmantle,  or  any  otlur  thing 
belonging  to  tiiem  after  such  Pei'son  halh  taken  hor-se  back,  to  proceed  & 
trauell  in  his  oi-  their  joi-ney,  out  of  this  Jurisdiction,  from  the  tii'st  1\nvne 
or  station  whence  such  Persons  bi'gin  their  trauell  ;  &  all  nionty  that  such 
searcher  shall  find  (excejjt  soe  much  as  is  allowed  by  Law,)  hei'  shall  safely 
keepe  it  vntill  the  next  Coiu't  of  the  shire,  &  then  psi-nt  tiie  same  vnto  the 
sajd  Court  ;  and  if  it  bee  judged  by  the  Court  to  bee  forfeited  according  to 
Law,  then  the  sajd  Court  are  re(piired  to  Order  the  deliuery  of  one  third  part 
to  the  officer  that  seized  ye  same,  and  the  other  two  ])arts  to  rctin-ne  to  the 
publike  Treasury  of  the  Country.  &  it  is  further  Ordered  that  the  f/ic  searchers 
before  named  are  hereby  impowred  to  breake  o[)en  any  chest,  Ti-nnck,  Box, 
Cabbin,  Cask,  Truss,  or  any  other  suspected  place  or  thing  where  they  or  any 
of  them  conceiui'  money  may  be  Concealld,  &  seize  the  same  ;  and  also  they 
or  eitl\er  of  them  are  impowred  to  i-equire  such  assistants  from  any  Consta- 
bles or  others  as  to  them  may  seeme  Expedient,  who  are  to  ajd  them,  vpon 
the  jjenalty  of  Iforty   shillings   line   ibr  euery   neglect." 

At  the  session  held  May  1."),  1(572,  it  is  recorded,'-  "  In  .\n>'  to  the  llnniMc 
proposall  of  .loscjili  Jcncks,  Sen.,  fur  y'  making  of  ninny,  <Vc..  the  ('ourt 
Jndgeth    it    meet    not    to   (irant    his    i-i'(|uest."     This  .Joseph   Jencks,  Sen.,  had 


■-.M:i>s,i.iiiisptts  l.'.-c.inis  v.il.  i\,  )p|i.  (l;!-J.  (W'5  ;  -vi.l.  iv,  p.  701. 


80  THE   EAKLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

previously  been  said  to  be  "  of  Linn,"  and  it  is  supposed  it  was  he  who  cut 
many  of  the  dies  for  the  coinage  of  this  mint. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  amount  of  silver  here  coined  was  sufficient, 
even  protected,  as  it  was,  by  stringent  legislation,  entirely  to  relieve  the 
distress  occasioned  by  the  dearth  of  authorized  coin  ;  and  as  there  still  con- 
tinued to  be  a  lack  of  silver  presented  at  the  mint  for  coinage,  on  account 
of  the  greater  profits  accruing  from  the  exportation  of  foreign  money,  by 
reason  of  the  expense  incident  to  its  conversion  into  current  coin,  an  act  was 
passed,  October  8th,  1672,  designed  to  obviate  this  difficulty.' 

"  Whereas  peaces  of  eight  are  of  more  value  to  Carry  out  of  the  Country 
then  they  will  yield  to  mint  into  our  Coyne,  by  reason  whereof  peeces  oi 
eight,  which  might  else  Come  to  Coyning,  are  carrjed  out  of  the  Country, 
It  is  therefore  Oi'dered  by  this  Court  &  the  authority  thereof,  that  all  peeces 
of  eight  that  are  full  weight  &  good  siluer,  that  is  sixe  shillings  of  new 
England  money,  of  mexico,  sivil  &  pillar,  &  so  all  lesser  peeces  of  each  Sort 
shall  passe  in  this  Jurisdiction  as  Current  as  our  oune  money  ;  peeces  of 
eight  at  sixe  shillings  a  peece,  and  all  lesser  peeces  proportionably  therevnto: 
Provided  that  all  such  peeces  that  shall  passe  in  this  Jurisdiction  haue  a 
stampe  affixt  vpon  them,  wch  shall  be  1>E:  to  euidence  that  are  of  right 
allay,  and  due  weight  ;  and  that  m"^  John  Hull  &  m"^  Kobert  Saunde'^son,  or 
either  of  them,  be  the  persons  for  the  try  all  &  stamping  of  such  money,  & 
that  therby  fower  pence  vpon  the  pound  pajd  foi-  the  rest,  one  fovverth  thereof 
to  the  officer  &  the  rest  to  the  Country  Tresurer. 

"  whereas  peeces  of  eight,  weighing  sixe  shillings,  are  ordered  to  passe 
for  sixe  shillings,  &  ordered  to  be  stamped,  &c.,  according  to  the  sajd  law, 
refference  thereto  being  had  ;  and  for  asmuch  as  few  or  no  peeces  of  eight 
are  of  that  weight,  and  so  the  intent  of  Good  to  the  Country  therein  will  be 
disappointed,  as  an  addition  to  the  sajd  lawe,  Be  it  ordered  &  enacted  by 
this  Court  &  the  authority  thereof,  that  peeces  of  eight  vnder  the  weight  of 
sixe  shillings  shall  likewise  be  passable  for  so  much  of  new  England  money 
as  they  shall  weigh,  and  that  it  be  impressed  vpon  the  stampe  how  much 
each  peece  doth  weigh,  in  legible  figures,  w'*"  the  other  letters  on  y'^  same,  & 
of  the  same  Alloy." 

We  have  been  unable  to  find  any  coins  proving  this  act  ever  to  have 
been  put  in  execution,  although  we  have  long  sought  for  them.     The  writer 


'  Massachusftts  liecords,  vol.  iv,  ji.  706. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  81 

of  thr  iviiiarUs  on  "  the  coinage  of  Massachusetts,"  appended  to  the  Diary  of 
John  Hull,  before  referred  to,  says,'  ''Some  of  these  worn  Spanish  pieces, 
which  liad  wholly  lost  their  original  impression,  stamped  with  X  E  on  the 
one  side,  and  the  figures  12,  (5,  or  3  on  the  other,  exist  in  some  of  tiie 
English  collections.  Both  Folkes  and  Kuding  are  puzzled  by  them,  and  the 
earliest  authorities  supposed  the}'  were  stamped  at  Newcastle.  Folkes's  copies 
of  them  are  copied  in  Mr.  Felt's  '  Currency  of  Massachusetts.' " 

The  writer  of  the  foregoing  strangely  overlooked  the  possible  existence 
of  some  specimens  of  the  coinage  first  ordered.  May  I?,  lGo2,  which  exactly 
answered  to  this  description,  making  due  allowance  for  the  eyident  mistake  of 
writing  "12,  G,  or  3,"  instead  of  xii,  yi,  and  iii, —  (the  iii  is  not  illustrated,) 
as  may  be  seen  by  refei-ence  to  the  illustrations  referred  to.  For  these  coins 
we  need  not  search  England,  as  they  are  to  be  found  in  American  collections, 
although  they  may  be  reckoned  am(mg  the  rarest  of  oui-  coins. 

It  will  also  l)e  noticed  that  this  order  provides  for  no  stamp  iqxui  hotii 
sides,  but  says,  in  the  additi(»n  t(j  the  said  law,  "tliat  it  be  imi)ressed  vpon 
the  stampe  liow  nuich  each  peece  doth  weigh,  in  legible  figures,  w"'  the  other 
letters  on  y*"  same,  &  of  the  same  Alloy."  May  not  this  provision  have  caused 
a  complication  sufficient  to  have  thwarted  the  whole  intent  of  the  oi-der  ? 

At  the  session  of  the  Court  convened  upon  thi'  12th  of  May,  Hu~),-  a 
third  connnittee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  mint  masters,  which  authority 
is  given   in  the  ensuing  form  : 

"Whereas  the  time  fornui'ly  agreed  vpon  w"' the  mint  masters  is  non- 
expired,  for  the  fiituiv  well  setling  of  that  matter  This  Court  doth  desire  & 
Iin])ower  the  Honoured  CJohne'  and  magistrates  residing  in  Hoston,  or  any 
three  ol'  them,  to  be  a  Coinittee  to  treate  w"'  such  persons  as  they  shall  thiidve 
meet,  and  to  make  such  an  Agreement  w"'  them  foi-  the  Coyning  of  the  mony 
of  this  Jurisdiction  as  may  l)e  most  Iiicouraging  to  all  pt'i-sons  that  haue 
bulljon,  to  l)ring  the  same  to  the   mint." 

The  report  which  follows  gives  the  action  of  this  committic  in  their  own 
words,  and   is   found   in   the   Records''  under  date  of  July  !•.  KiT.*). 

''In  pursaiice  of  an  oi'der  of  I'he  Generall  Court,  held  May  the  12"', 
H')7~>,  relating  to  the  future  Setling  of  the  mint.  It  is  Agrei'd  by  ys,  the 
Subscribers,  as  a  CoiTiittee  appointed  therevnto,  as  foUoweth,  i.  e. 

"That   the   I'orinii-   masters  of   the   mint,  \iz',    Robert    Saunderson   iV:   .Fohn 

'  IIullV  Diiuy,  Am.  AMti(|.  Snc.  Coll.,  vol.  iii,  p.  •i!>7.     ■•'  ."Muss.  l{cc.,  vol.  v.  p.  '>X;  Syol.  v,  |i.  41. 


82  THE   EARLT    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

Hull,  doe  Continue  to  mint  what  Siluer  bulljon  shall  Come  in  for  this  Seven 
yeares  next  to  Come,  if  either  of  them  line  so  long,  and  doe  receive  of  those 
that  bi-ing  bnlljon  to  the  mint,  as  a  full  reward  for  their  payiies,  twelve  pence 
for  euery  twenty  shillings,  &  three  pence  for  the  wast  of  euery  three  ounces 
of  sterling  Siluer  that  they  shall  so  mint,  vizt:  fiueteen  pence  in  the  whole  for 
euery  twenty  shillings,  and  the  sajd  minters  are  to  pay  in  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Country,  in  mony,  twenty  pounds  p  Anno  during  abouesajd  terme. 
that  this  is  our  Agreement  wittnes  our  hands  heerevuto  put  the  3''  of  June, 
1675.  John  Leueret 

Symon  Bradstreete 
The  Court  Approoves  of  this  Returne  and  the  Edward  Tyng 

Setlement  of  the  mint  accordingly.  Robe't  Sanderson 

as  Attests,  Edward  Rawson,  Secrety.  John  Hull." 

Still  hoping  to  escape  the  consecpiences  of  the  king's  displeasure,  which 
was  yet  directed  against  the  colonists,  and  partly  on  account  of  their  mint, 
another  present  was  sent  to  him,  in  pursuance  of  an  order  recorded  Octobei- 
10th,  1(377:'  "It  is  ordered  that  the  Tresurer  doe  forthwith  prouide  tenn 
barrells  of  Cranburyes,  two  hogsheads  of  speciall  Good  Sampe,  and  three 
thousand  of  Cod  Itish,  to  be  sent  to  on'  messenge''s,  by  them  to  be  presented 
to  his  Majesty  as  A  present  from  this  Court." 

In  a  letter  to  the  agents  of  the  colony,  Messrs.  William  Stoughton  and 
Peter  Bulkley,  the  Court  writes,  October  22d,  1()77,-  "As  for  the  Coynage,  or 
any  other  Additionall  [jriuiledge  ottered,  (not  prejudiciall  to  our  charter,)  wee 
would  not  slight  but  humbly  accept  *  *  *  *  As  for  a  present  to  his 
maje*^*^  wee  are  Considering  of  some  thing  to  send,  w"'  hope  Piscataqua  men 
&  others  will  prouide  a  ships  loading  of  masts,  if  his  maj*^^  please  send  a 
ship,  &  ourselues  some  Cor  fish,  sampe,  &  Cranburyes." 

In  the  lettei-  book  of  the  treasurer  and  mint  master,  John  Hull,'^  we  find 
this  lettei-  to  the  agents,  dated  at  Boston,  December  22d,  1677,  giving  some 
further  information  upon  the  same  afi'air  : 

"Gent.,  I  have  sent  you  in  this  ship,  —  the  'Blessing,'  John  Phillips, 
master,  —  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty  codfish.  There  is  about  seven  hundred 
of  them  very  large  fish,  between  two  and  three  feet  long,  the  other  under 
two  feet  ;    they  are  well  salted  down  in  the  ship's  bread  room. 

'  M;iss.  livciinls,  veil,  v,  \>.  148;  -vol.  v,  ]k  l.iO.         ^C'oll.  .Viiur.  AMti<|.  Soc,  \«\.  iii,  y.  131. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  83 

"Also  ten  barrels  of  cranberries  and  three  ban-els  of  samp,  as  by  the 
invoice  and  bills  of  lading  enclosed,  you  will  see  more  particularly.'  The 
'invoice  of  fish,  cranberries,  and  samp,  shipped  on  l)oard  the  ' Blessing,' John 
Phillips  master,  on  account  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony,  and  consigned  to 
William  Stoughton,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Peter  Bulkley,'  is  as  follows  :  — 


'Eighteen  hundred  and  sixty  codfish,  whureof  tin'  vfiy  hutrt'  fish  i-ost, 

witli  all  chai-fies  on  board            .....  £35  iqb  0^ 

Ten  barrels  of  cranberries                    -             -             -             -             -  6  0  0 

Three  barrels  of  samp            -             -             -             -             -             -  7  0  0 

JOHN    HULL,   Tretmurerr' 

In  another  letter  to  the  same  agents,  dated  "  Boston,  lU  .  8  .  78,"  but  found 
in  the  Records'  under  date  of  October  2d  and  7th,  1678,  the  Court  writes, 
"As  for  that  particcular  of  our  Coyning  money  w""  on'  oune  Impress,  His 
Maj'*  of  his  Gratious  Clemency  towards  us  hath  not  binn  pleased  as  yet  to 
declare  his  pleasure  therein  ;  and  wee  haue  Confidence  that  when  he  shall 
truely  be  informed  of  the  symplicity  of  our  Actings,  the  pul)licke  Joy  thereof 
to  his  subjects  here,  and  the  great  daiuage  that  the  stoppage  thereof  will 
Inevitably  be  to  ou'  necessary  Coiiierce  and  abatement  of  his  Maj'^*^^  Customes 
yearely  Acruing  by  on''  merchants  &  Nauigation,  &  is  pajd  at  London,  his 
maj'''^  will  not  Account  those  to  be  freinds  to  his  Croune  that  shall  seeke  to 
Interru^it  us  therein  ;  and  for  the  Impress  put  vpon  it  wee  shall  take  it  as 
his  maj'^*"^  signall  ouning  vs  if  he  will  please  to  order  such  an  Impresse  as 
shall  be  to  him  most  Acceptable." 

Joseph  Dudley  and  John  Richards,  Esqs.,  having  been  chosen,  the  former 
on  the  20th,  the  latter  on  the  23d  of  March,  IGgi,  to  be  "Agents  to  goe  & 
wayte  on  his  maj'^,  &c.,"  ^  their  instructions,  which  were  dated  15th  February, 
1()81  (-2,)  commence  as  follows:  "1.  Yow  shall  most  humbly  i)resent  the 
IIuml)le  Address  of  this  Court  to  His  Royall  majesty,  with  our  humlile  thanks 
for  his  Gracious  respect  to  the  peace  &  weale  of  his  subjects  scittuate  so 
remote  frcjm  his  Royall  Couit,  And  with  relferenee  to  Complaints  exhibbited 
against  us  ;  2.  Yo"  shall  Informe  his  maj'^*  That  we  tooke  vp  stamping  of 
silver  meerely  vpon  necessitje,  to  prevent  cheats  by  false  ])eeces  of  eight, 
which  were  brought  hither  in  the  tjme  of  the  late  Confusions  ;  and  wee  haue 
been  well  Informed  that  his  maj'^*"  had  knowledge  thereof,  yet  did  not  manifest 


1  Vol.  V,  ]..  194;  2  vol.  V,  p.  WiA. 


84  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AJVIEEICA. 

any  dissatisfaction  thereat  vntil  of  very  late  ;  And  if  that  be  a  Trespasse 
vpon  His  maj*'^"*  Royal  Prerogative,  of  which  wee  are  Ignorant,  wee  Hunbly 
beg  His  Maj*^"^  pardon  and  Gratiaus  Allowance  therein,  It  being  so  exceeding 
necessary  for  our  Civil  Commerce,  &  no  way,  as  wee  humbly  Conceive,  detri- 
mentall  to  His  Royal  Majtje." 

That  the  Court  considered  these  instructions  of  great  importance  may 
be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  they  were  a  long  time  in  agreeing  upon  the 
letter,  of  which  this  forms  a  part,  which  is  shown  by  the  several  draughts  of 
that  letter  now  presei'ved  in  the  Archives,*  each  of  which  indicates  a  different 
form  of  instructions  for  "A.  B.  Agents,"  not  then  appointed. 

The  section  relating  to  the  mint,  however,  appears  in  all,  and  in  sub- 
stantially the  same  form.  Their  dates  are  "  25"'  of  ffebruary,  1680,"  this  having 
the  date  repeated  thus  :  "25:  12  •  g  ="  One  has  no  date,  one  "21"*  ffebruary, 
1681,"  and  the  other,  "29  of  March,  1681,"  more  than  a  year  having  passed 
between  the  date  of  the  first,  and  that  of  the  letter  as  recorded. 

Two  other  draughts  appear  in  the  Archives,-  one  of  which  is  dated 
"March  16,  1681,"  in  which  are  these  Avords  :  "Hoping  also  and  humbly 
praying  your  Maj'^^  favour  for  the  continuance  of  our  liberty  of  Coyning." 
Neither  of  these  was  adopted. 

Not  being  able  to  effect  either  the  recoinage,  or  the  stamping  of  the 
weight,  etc.,  upon  the  foreign  coins  in  circulation,  and  despairing  of  being 
able  to  keep  their  coin  at  home  by  actual  prohibition  of  its  exportation,  but 
still  hoping  to  retain  it  in  the  country  by  further  legislation,  the  Court  reg- 
ulates its  value,  in  the  act  of  May  24th,  1682  :  ^  "  This  Court,  taking  into 
Consideration  that  by  the  frequent  exportation  of  our  N"ew  England  Coyne 
out  of  the  Country,  whereby  Coinerce  and  trade  is  very  much  obstructed,  As 
an  expedient  to  keepe  money  in  the  Country,  It  is  Ordered  that  all  peices  of 
I  as  pillar.  Civil,  &  mexico  Coyne,  that  are  good  siluer,  shall  passe  amongst 
us  as  Currant  mony  of  New  England,  according  to  their  weight  in  the  present 
New  England  Coyne  ; "  and,  bearing  date  the  11th  of  October,  1682,^  we  find 
this  action,  explanatory  of  the  last  :  "  The  Court,  on  the  24""  day  of  may 
last,  taking  into  Consideration  the  Frequent  exportation  of  ou'  new  England 
Cojne  out  of  the  Countrey,  whereby  Coinerce  and  trade  is  verj^  miich  obstructed, 
as  an  epedient  to  keepe  jnoney  in  the  Countrey,  did   order  that  all  peices  of 


1  Vol.  cvi,  1)1).  222,  227,  230,  248  ;  2  vol.  cvi,  pp.  238,  252.     :'  Mass.  Rec,  vol.  v,  p.  349.     *  Mass. 
Kec,  vol.  V,  p.  372. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  85 

eight,  as  pillar,  sevil,  and  mexico  Coyii,  that  are  good  siluer,  should  passe 
amongst  us  as  Currant  money  of  new  England,  according  to  their  weight  in 
the  present  new  England  Coyn.  As  an  explanation  of  that  laAv,  It  is  to  be 
vnde''stood,  and  It  is  heereby  declared  that  those  peices  of  eight  in  the  law 
mentioned  shallbe  pajd  and  received  at  sixe  shillings  eight  pence  p  ounce 
Troy  weight,  and  all  smaller  peeces  of  the  like  Coyn,  that  are  good  siluer, 
shall  passe  at  the  same  price  &  weight." 

The  original  draught  of  the  act  last  copied,'  will  be  found  to  dillbr  little, 
except  in  form  and  date,  from  that  of  the  Records. 

"24  May  82 

"  This  Coiu't  taking  into  Consideration  y'  by  y*^  frequent  Exportation  ol" 
o"^  Xew  England  Coyne  out  of  the  Country,  whereby  Coiiierce  &  trade  is 
very  iiuuh  Obstructed,  As  an  Expedient  to  keep  money  in  the  Country  it  is 
ordered  that  all  peeces  of  |,  as  Filler,  Civil,  and  Mexico  Coyne,  y'  are  good 
Silver,  shall  pass  amongst  us  as  Currant  money  of  Xew  England,  according 
to  there  weight  in  the  present  'New  England  Coyne. 

"As  an  Explanation  of  y*^  law,  title  jieeces  of  I,  it  is  to  be  vnderstood  & 
declared  that  those  peeces  of  I  In  that  law  mentioned,  shalbe  payd  &  Receaued 
at  Six  Shillings  Eight  pence  the  ounce,  ti'oy  weight,  the  Magis'**  haue  past 
this,  their  brethren  the  deputyes  heereto  Consenting. 

12  Octo  1(582.  Edw''  Kawson  Seei-et. 

"  Consented  to  by  y"  Deputys,  &  ordoi-  also  that  all  Smaller  peces  of  the  like 
Coyne  y'  are  good  Siluer  Shall  pass  as  Curant  mony  at  Six  Shillings  Eaight 
pence  the  ounce,  troy  waight,  o''  hon"'  Maj*""'*'  Consenting. 

Oct.  16:  1682:  Elislia  Hutchinson  p'  <.id'. 

"Consented  to  I)y  the  majjis'^  Edw''  Rawson  Secret." 

This  is  the  latest  action  upon  the  subject  we  lind  to  have  l)een  taken 
previous  to  the  cessation  of  coining  in  New  England. 

In  1(580  Randolph  still  complained  of  the  " Bostoneers,"  that  "They  coyne 
moui'y  of  their  owne  impress."'     And  in  his  "Articles  of  high  Misdemeanor, 

'Arcliives,  vol.  e,  p.  285.         '^  Hutchinson  Papers,  vol.  ii,  p.  "265. 


86  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

exhiliited  against  the  General  Conrt  sitting  15th  February,  1681,"  "  The  said 
faction  have  neglected  to  re])eale  all  laws  of  their  colony  contrary  to  the 
laws  of  England,  though  required  thereunto  by  his  Majesty's  letters  of  28th 
of  Feb.  1662,  and  the  observance  thereof  promised  by  their  agents  at  that 
time  ;  and  also  by  particular  direction  from  the  right  honourable  the  Lords 
of  the  committee  of  trade  and  plantation  to  their  late  agents,  in  1678,  by 
which  meanes  coining  of  money  (acknowledged  in  their  agents'  petition  to  his 
Majesty,  a  great  crime  and  misdemeanor,  who  then  craved  his  Majesty's 
pardon  to  the  govermnent  for  the  same,)  is  continued  to  this  day,  &c." 

Lord  Culpepper  states,  August,  1681,  Randolph's  papers  having  l)een  sent 
to  him,  '' '  I  have  pernsed  Mr.  Randolph's  writings  sent  me,  and,  during  my 
stay  in  Boston,  did  hear  most  of  the  matters  of  fact  specified  therein.'  He 
added,  '  that  the  coinage  of  New-England  was  greatly  prejudicial  to  the  king's 
subjects.' " ' 

The  committee  on  plantation,  in  Api-il,  1678,  expressed  the  opinion  ''  That 
though  his  majesty  may,  upon  due  application,  gi-ant  the  colony  a  chartei-, 
with  power  of  coining,  yet  they  must  solicit  his  majesty's  pardon." ' 

In  a  letter  from  the  king  to  the  Court,  October,  1681,  the  accusation  is 
made  "  That  you  presume  to  continue  your  mint,  without  regard  to  the  pen- 
alties thereby  incurred  ; "  ^  and  in  June,  1683,  Randolph  says,  "  They  persist 
in  coining  money,  though  they  had  asked  forgiveness  for  that  offence."  * 

Thus  the  mint  appears  to  have  been  a  fruitful  source  of  dissatisfaction, 
furnishing  a  ready  and  acceptable  weapon  for  the  enemies  of  the  colony,  and 
finally  called  forth  the  proceedings  recorded  in  the  ensuing  documents. 

The  following  letter,  found  at  the  State  Paper  Ofiice,  in  London,-  is  the 
iirst  of  a  series  of  documents  bearing  upon  the  reestablishment  of  the  mint 
in  New  England  : 

"Letter  to  Mr.  Guy,  about  Instructions  to  be  prepared  by  y*^  Comm'"  of 
y*"  Customs  for  New  England  —  Monopoly'  —  The  Mint  : 

"  S'  Council  Chamljer,  22  November,  168-1. 

"  His  Ma*-'  having  thought  fit  to  appoint  Col.  Kirk''  to  be  Governor  of  the 
Colony  of  Massachusets  Bay  and  other  adjacent  Provinces  in  New  England, 

iC'halmer's  Annals,  Book  i,  p.  438;  a  iliid,  p.  440;  3  ihi,]^  p.  448;  -111)1(1,11.462.  »  Colonial 
Entry  Hook,  vol.  Ixi,  p.  '218.  ''Col.  Percy  Kirke,  —  he  never  entered  npon  the  duties  of  Govern- 
orship, to  which  he  was  appointed.     See  Drake's  Hist.  Boston,  p.  458. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  87 

and  the  R'  bono'''  the  Lords  of  the  Committee  for  Trade  &  forrein  Phinta- 
tions,  having  under  consideration  the  preparing  such  Insti'uctions  for  Col. 
Kirk  as  may  be  most  proper  for  the  Goverment  of  those  Colonyes,  have 
ordered  me  to  acquaint  the  Lords  Comm'"  of  the  Treasury,  with  the  desire 
that  the  Comm"^*  of  the  Customs  may  be  directed  to  consider  of  and  i)repare 
a  (h'aught  of  such  Instructions  (from  liis  Ma^  to  the  Governor,)  relating  to 
Trade  and  Navigation,  as  may  best  Conduce  to  the  Execution  of  the  Acts  of 
Parliam'  in  that  behalf.  And  that  the  Comm'"  of  the  customs  may  likewise 
consider  of  the  clause  herevnto  annexed  concerning  trade  and  Engrossing  of 
Comodities,  and  return  their  opinion  thereupon.  Their  Lo''*  having  likewise 
taken  notice  that  a  mint  has  hitherto  been  kept  up  and  imployed  at  Boston 
in  Xew  England,  for  the  Coyning  of  money  different  in  value  and  alloy  from 
that  of  England,  and  it  being  now  in  his  ma''''  power  to  continue  or  set 
aside  the  further  exercise  of  such  a  mint,  as  shall  l)e  found  most  requisit  for 
his  Service,  Do  further  desire  the  Lords  Comm'*  of  the  Treasury  to  receive 
the  opinion  of  the  Comm""  of  the  Mint  in  this  matter,  that  his  ma^'*  pleasure 
may  be  knoAvne  thereuj)on,  and  Instructions  given  to  Colonel  Kirk  accoi'dingly. 
"22  November  1084." 

Neither  of  the  letters  from  Mr.  Guy,  referred  to  in  tlie  following  reports, 
can  ])e  found  : 

"  To  the  R'  Hon"^'"  y'^  L''**  Comm''^  of  his  Majesty'^  Treasry. 
"  May  it  please  yo"^  Lordp% 

"  In  Obedience  to  yo''  Lordp"  Cofnands  signified  by  m'  Secretary 
Guy,  ye  24  of  Novb'  last,  in  Reference  to  a  Mint  w'"'  hath  been  hitherto  kept 
up  &  imployed  at  Boston  in  New  England, 

"Wee  haue  mett  with  a  Copy  of  what  was  ordered  l)y  tlie  then  Court 
as  they  termed  themselves,  being  of  the  Collony  of  Massachuscts,  &  sitting 
at  Boston,  in  N  E  aforesaid,  did  in  y"  year  1652,  Settle  y"  s''  Mint,  w'"  manor 
of  settlem"  Wee  put  down  in  their  owne  words   (^'iz.) 

"Itt  is  ordred  by  this  Court  &  y"  Authority  thereof,  that  a  Mint  Imuse 
be  erected  in  Boston,  Aho  Dofn,  1().')2,  and  that  y''  niastoi'  of  y"  s''  Mint  cV:  all 
y"  officers  thereof,  shall  l)e  sworne  A:  allowed  by  this  Court  or  \)\  sudi  as 
shal  be  Authori/cd  by  this  Court  for  that  |)urpose.  And  all  persons  whatsoeuer 
banc  Lil)erty  to  l)riiig  into  y'^  s''  Mint  all  BuUian,  I'late,  or  Spanish  Coyne, 
there  to  be  Melted  ct  l)ronght  to  Alia}'  of  starling  njony  by  the  inastor  of  y"' 
s''  Mint    &    his    sworne    ollicers,   from    time    to    time,  by  him    oi-  lliein   to    be 


88  THE   EARLY   CODSTS   OF   A3IERICA. 

Coyned  in  to  12  peny,  6  peny,  or  3  peny  Pieces,  w*^*"  shal  be  Stamped  with  a 
double  Ring  on  either  side,  with  this  InserijDtion :  Massachusets  and  a  tree  in 
y*^  Center,  and  on  y*'  one  side,  New  England,  with  the  year  of  o"'  Lord  &  the 
figuers  xii.  vi.  iii.  according  to  the  uallue  of  each  piece,  on  the  other  side,  to 
gether  with  a  privy  Marke,  w""''  shalbe  appoynted  euery  three  Months  by  y* 
Gouernor,  &  only  knowne  to  him  &  the  swoi'n  Officers  of  the  Mint ;  and 
y*"  mastor  of  ye  Mint  afore  said  is  Kequiered  to  Coyne  all  the  said  Mony  of 
good  silver,  of  y''  Just  allay  of  new  starling  English  Mony,  and  for  Value 
Two  pence  in  y*"  shilling  of  Less  Yallue  then  y*  present  English  Cojme  & 
the  Lesser  pieces  proportianably  ;  and  all  such  Coyn  as  aforesaid  (&  no 
other,  Except  English,)  shal  be  acknowledged  to  be  the  Currant  Mony  of 
this  Coinonwealth,  and  to  pass  from  man  to  man  in  all  payments  accordingly 
w"'in  this  Jurisdiction. 

"And  the  Mint  Mastor,  for  himselfe  &  officers,  foi-  their  pains  &  Labour 
in  Melting,  Refining,  &  Coyning,  is  allowed  by  this  Court  to  take  One  shilling- 
out  of  euery  twenty  shillings  w*^""  he  shal  stamp  as  aforesaid.  And  it  shal 
be  in  the  Liberty  of  any  person  who  brings  into  the  Mint  house  any  Bullion, 
Plate,  or  SiDanish  Coyn,  to  be  present  &  to  se  the  same  Melted,  refined,  & 
allayed,  &  then  to  take  a  Receipt  of  the  Mastor  of  the  Mint  for  y*^  weight 
of  that  w'^''  is  good  siluer,  allayed  as  aforesaid,  for  w'^''  y'^  Mint  mastor  shall 
deliver  him  the  Like  weight  in  Currant  Mony,  (Viz)  euery  shilling  to  weigh 
3  pene  Troy  weight,  &  lessor  pieces  projiortianably,  deducting  allways  for 
Coynage  as  before  is  exsprest.  And  it  is  further  ordered  that  a  Coinittee 
be  Chosen  to  appoynt  a  Mint  house  in  sum  Conveniant  place  in  Boston,  &  to 
approue  &  Swear  y*^  Mastor,  &  to  ordor  &  determine  what  shal  further  appere 
Necessary  to  cary  on  this  Order  to  effect. 

"Wee  haue  examened  y"  12  pene,  6'',  &  3''  pieces  coyned  at  y*"  ^Nlint  in 
Boston  in  N  E  aforesaid,  for  weight  &  allay,  &  do  finde  as  to  y"  allay  it  is 
equal  to  his  Maj**  silver  Coyns  of  England,  but  difterent  in  weight,  being 
Less  by  about  21  grains  upon  the  shilling,  &  so  proportianobly  in  the  other 
Coyns  from  his  Majesty*  shilling  Coyne,  w''*'  is  near  two  pence  thi-ee  farthings 
upon  the  shilling,  &  is  about  22,  p  Cent  ;  besides  a  third  more  is  allowed 
for  the  Coynage  then  what  hath  been  allowed  for  the  Coynage  of  his  Maj**^ 
Silver  Mints  in  England. 

"The  preserving  of  one  certain  Standard  for  weight  &  fineness  of  his 
Maj*'*  silver  Coyns,  in  all  his  Maj*'*  Kingdoms  &  Dominians,  is  Very  much 
for  the  Security  &  advantage  of  his  Maj*'^  and  the  altering   thereof,  w""*"  are 


MASSACHUSETTS.  89 

y*  Comou  measures  g-iven  by  his  Maj**^'  unto  liis  people,  eaunot  well  be  done 
in  any  one  of  his  Maj^'"*  s'"  Dominians  without  eminent  prejudice  to  the  Rest. 

"  Besides,  according  to  y*"  advantage  before  set  downe,  it  will  be  a  great 
Encorageiii"  for  y*"  drawing  away  y*"  Current  Cojns  of  this  Kingdom,  so  farr 
as  that  trade  may  promote  it.  It  will  also  be  y*^  occasian  of  makeing  all 
INIarchandize  &  other  goods  rise  in  proportion  to  that  Mony. 

"  Wee  are  humbly  of  opinian,  if  his  Maj*'''  shal  think  fitt  to  settle  a  Mint 
in  N  E,  for  making  of  Co^ais  of  silver,  of  12  pences,  (5'\  &  3'',  that  they  be 
made  in  w^eight  &  fineness  answerable  to  his  Majestys  Silver  Coyns  of 
England,  &  not  otherwise. 

"And  for  smaller  pieces,  (Viz)  farthings,  half  penc,  and  peny  pieces,  if 
his  maj'*'-^  shal  so  think  fitt,  that  they  be  made  of  Tinn,  &  so  supplyed  from 
hence,  which  will  be  to  his  Maj*'**  advantage. 

"It  also  may  be  observed,  that  tho' they  haue  Continued  this  unwarrant- 
able way  of  Coyning  of  Monys  euer  since  y®  year  1652,  yet  there  is  no  alter- 
ation of  date  appears  u])on  their  Coyne  of  12'',  6'\  &  3''  pieces,  but  tlie  same 
date  (Viz)  1652,  as  was  at  first  coyning  of  them. 

"  Itt  is  also  further  to  be  obserued  that  for  y"  Incoragein"  of  bringing 
Silver  to  their  Mint  to  be  Coyned,  they  do  promis  that  there  shall  be  but 
two  pence  in  y*"  shilling  Less  in  Vallue  then  the  English  shilling,  but  aftor 
the  Mint  master  hath  the  same  in  Custody  &  Coyned  the  same,  they  order 
him  to  pay  y''  INIony  out  by  weight  at  3''  Troy  weight  for  their  shillings  A; 
lessor  pieces  propoitianably,  w'"  3  pene  Troy  is  about  9'' J  Starling,  and  makes 
out  the  am5"  as  before  about  22  J  p  Cent  besides  the  Charge  of  Coynage.  all 
^'fh  ^y^,  humbly  Leaue  to  yo'  Lordi)S  further  Considoration. 

"  Dated  at  y'  Mint  y*^  15  day  of  Jan'^,  1684.  Tho  Neale 

Cha.  Duncombe 
-la.   Iloare."' 

"To  the  K' Hon'"'^  Lawrence,  Eaile  of  Kochester, " 

Lord  high  Tresurer  of  England, 
"  May  it  please  yo''  Lo"' 

"  In  obediance  to  yo"'  Lord''"  Cofnauds,  Signified  to  us  v'' 
1(1"'  ol"  this  uiuutli,  by  Letter  from  Henry  Cuy,  L.s(j'.,  Wee  haue  Considored 
of  the  papers  enclosed  to  us  in  y"  s''  Letter  concerning  a  Mint  to  lie  reestab- 
lisht    in    New    England,   iSj    doe    tind    that  vpon    alike    ri'fei'euee    lioni    y''  L''" 

1  Ar.liivos,  vol.  c,  |,.  S.'in  ;   a  vol.  c,  p.  388. 


90  THE    EAKLT    COINS    OF   AIVIERICA. 

Com'^  of  the  Treasury,  of  y^  24  ISToubS  1684,  of  this  Matter  the  officers  of  the 
Mint  did  by  their  Report  of  the  15  of  Jan"^  following  deliver  their  opinion 
concerning  y^  same,  a  Copy  of  w*'^  Report  is  hereunto  annext,  no  cause 
appering  to  us  to  ater  our  Judgm"-  therein,  presuming  only  to  add  this 
further,  that  when  a  grant  was  obtained  by  S"^  Thomas  Yyner  &  others,  in 
y'^  year  1662,  for  Coyning  Small  Silver  monys  in  Ireland,  aftor  it  wass  by 
his  Maj***^'  in  Council  refered  to  the  Lord  Tresurer  &  Chancellour  of  the 
Exchecq^  who  heard  the  pattentees  &  the  officers  of  the  Mint  upon  Report 
of  their  Lord^^  His  Late  Maj^*^,  by  his  ordor  in  Council  of  the  14th  of 
November,  1662,  was  pleased  to  Coinand  the  s"^  Letters  Pattents  to  be  deliv- 
ered up  at  the  borde  to  be  canceled  for  waighty  Reasons  exprest  in  the  s'' 
Report.  Wee  may  likewise  obserue  to  yo"^  Lord""*  that  when  in  y^  year  1678 
the  Earle  of  Carlisle  did  make  application  for  power  to  Erect  a  Mint  in 
Jamaca,  of  w*^*"  Island  he  was  Gou"^,  it  was  then  found  Impracticable,  under 
the  termes  of  keeping  the  weight  &  fineness  of  the  Moneyes  to  English 
Standard,  (w''''  can  not  be  altered,  as  we  humebly  Conceive,)  with  out  dishon' 
to  his  Maj*'**  Coyns,  &  prejudice  to  his  subjects  of  his  other  Dominians,  in 
w''''  opinion  we  are  Confirmed  by  y^  Report  made  upon  this  occasion  by  y*" 
Lords  of  y''  Coinitte  for  trade  &  forraigne  Plantations,  y**  S^*"  of  fieb"  1678. 
As  for  the  second  part  of  m"^  Guys  Letter,  w'^''  directs  us  to  think  upon  some 
other  Inscriptions  more  agreable  to  the  Kings  prerogative,  to  be  stampt  upon 
y^  Coyne  of  New  England,  if  a  Mint  be  settled  there.  Wee  craue  some  time 
to  Considor  of,  after  yo"^  Lord''**  shal  have  perused  these  papers,  &  will  be 
redy  to  obay  yo"^  Lord'*''  therein. 

"  Dated  at  the  Mint  the  15'"  day  of  July,  1686. 

Phil   Loyd 

Tho.  Neale 
Cha:  Duncombe 
Ja:  Hoare." 

It  has  been  the  opinion  of  most  writers  upon  the  subject  that  this  coinage 
was  continued  until  suppressed  by  action  of  the  authority  of  the  crown, 
during  the  administration  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros.  This  could  hardly  have 
been  the  case,  as  Andros  did  not  reach  this  country  until  the  latter  part  of 
December,  1686,  before  which  time  the  foregoing  papers  show  the  reestab- 
lishment  of  the  mint  to  have  been  proposed. 

The   information   already  given   upon  this  point  favors  the  belief  that  it 


MASSACHUSETTS.  91 

terminated,  (the  machinations  of  its  enemies  jji-obably  being  not  without  influ- 
ence in  producing  this  result,)  with  the  exjiiration  of  the  agreement  with  the 
mint  masters,  dated  June  3d,  1675,  although  it  is  impossible  now  to  determine 
with  certainty. 

The  final  closing  of  the  mint  would,  in  this  case,  probably  have  been 
somewhat  later  than  June  3d,  1G82,  as  the  connnittee  report,  June  3d,  1675, 
"that  the  former  masters  of  the  mint,  vizt.  Robert  Saunderson  &  John  Hull, 
doe  Continue  to  mint  what  siluer  buUjon  shall  come  in  for  this  Seven  yeares 
next  to  Come,  if  either  of  them  Hue  so  long,"  —  its  actual  termination  would 
therefore  be  extended  more,  or  less,  from  that  date,  according  as  there  hap- 
pened to  be  much,  or  little,  uncoined  silver  on  hand  at  that  time. 

It  appears  certain,  however,  that  coining  was  discontinued,  and  the  mint 
abandoned,  as  eaily  as  1684,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  letter  of  the  officers  of 
the  king's  mint,  already  given,  dated  Jauuai-y  15th,  1684  (-5,)  referring  to  a 
lettei-  dated  November  24th,  1684,  which  spoke  of  "  a  Mint  w""*  hath  been 
hitherto  kept  up  &  imployed  at  Boston  in  New  England,"  —  a  vague  expres- 
sion, but  explained  by  a  later  sentence  in  the  same,  where  the  officers  state, 
"  Wee  are  humbly  of  opinian,  if  his  Maj"**'  shal  think  fitt  to  Settle  a  Mint  in 
N  E,"  and  also  by  a  i-eference  in  the  letter  of  July  15,  168(),  from  the  same, 
to  the  lord  high  treasurer  of  England,  where  they  say,  "  Wee  haue  Considored 
of  the  papers  enclosed  to  us  in  y*"  s''  Letter  c-oncerning  a  Mint  to  be  reestab- 
lisht  in  New  England,  &  doe  find  that  vpon  alike  reference  from  y''  L'""* 
Com"^"*  of  the  Treasury  of  y*"  24  Nov",  1684,  of  this  Matter,"  thus  proving  that 
the  letter  of  November  24th,  1(J84,  had  reference  to  the  j-eestablishnient  of  the 
mint,  which,  as  a  matter  of  coui'se,  must  previously  have  been  discontinued. 

"Letter  from  M"^  Guy  to  M"^  Blathway',  w"'  papers  about  a  Mint,  &c.' 
"S^ 

"  By  my  Loi'd  Treasurers  Command,  I  send  you  the  two  inclosed  Papers 
al:)(jut  reestablishing  a  Mint  in  New  England,  w'"'  his  Lo''  desires  you  to  lay 
before  the  Lords  of  the  Coiiiittee  for  Trade  and  Plantations. 

"I  am,  S',  Yo"^  most  humble  Servant,  Hen.  Guy. 

"  Treasury  Chambers,  23  7bris,  1686." 

"Reasons  for  a  Mint   in  New  England.- 
"  1*".   Money  is  the  measure  for  the  valuation  of  Houses,  Lands,  or  Goods, 

•ColoMial  F.iilry   T'.Muk,  v^l.  Ixi,  |..  1:17;    m.i.l. 


92  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

but  because  the  Stock  of  Lauds  &  Goods  iu  eveiy  C'ouutry  is  oue  huudred 
times  more  theu  the  Stock  of  Mouey,  there  fore  the  value  of  Mouey  must  of 
uecessity  depeud  npou  &  be  goverued  by  the  value  of  Goods.  Wituess  the 
rising  &  falliug  of  M(mey  iu  Bills  of  Exchange  eveiy  vveeke. 

"  2.  Although  the  Standard  of  the  Mouey  of  England  hath  been  kept  iu 
its  purity  and  fineness,  yet  the  value  and  weight  thereof  hath  been  very  often 
changed,  according  to  the  Rate  of  Silvei"  and  Increase  of  Trade,  So  that  the 
Old  Easterling-  penny  of  the  Conqueror  was  raised  to  three  half  pence  by 
King  Henry  the  6th,  thence  to  Two  Pence  by  King  Edward  the  4th,  and 
thence  to  three  pence  by  Queen  Elizabeth. 

"  3.  The  Trade  of  New  England  consisting  cheifly  in  Fish,  Provisions, 
and  Lumber,  exported  to  His  Ma*^'^  Southern  Plantations  in  America,  and  to 
the  Dominions  of  the  King  of  Spain  in  Europe,  The  returns  from  the  former 
are  made  in  Sugar,  Tobacco,  and  other  Commodities  of  the  growth  of  those 
Parts,  w*^''  are  again  reshipjied  for  England,  and  thereby  Imploy  a  double  nav- 
igation ;  but  from  Spain  are  brought  pieces  of  Eight,  which  being  of  unequal 
weight  and  value,  did  necessitate  the  then  Governm'  of  New  England  (neer 
forty  yeares  since,)  to  Erect  a  mint  for  making  of  Silver  moneys,  to  be 
currant  in  that  Country,  as  the  Standard  and  measure  of  Trade,  all  payments 
being  since  made  iu  that  money,  which  is  in  fineness  equal  to  the  money  of 
England,  but  less  in  weight,  the  shilling  being  in  value  nine  pence  farthing, 
and  smaller  Pieces  proportionable,  and  frequently  brought  into  England  foi- 
want  of  other  Returnes. 

"4.  The  Rents  of  Houses  and  Land  have  been  paid,  and  all  Goods  bought 
&  Sold  for  many  years  in  New  England,  by  this  measure,  and  the  altering 
of  it,  and  bringing  it  to  the  standard  of  Old  England,  would  enrich  the 
Landlord  and  Creditor,  but  it  would  ruyne  the  Tenant  and  Del)tor,  destroy 
the  Trade  of  that  Country,  and  bring  no  advantage,  but  loss  to  the  King,  whose 
Customes  and  Poundage  Circulats  in  that  Coyn,  as  well  as  in  any  other. 

"5.  In  case  his  Ma'*"  shall  not  upon  these  Considerations,  think  fit  to 
settle  or  Continue  a  Mint  in  New  England,  It  will  be  absolutely  necessary 
and  not  to  be  avoyded  without  y"  Ruyne  of  the  Plantation,  that  Pieces  of 
Eight,  which  is  a  Forrein  Coin,  Bee  made  Currant  there  (as  they  are  now 
in  all  the  other  Plantations  in  America,)  at  the  same  Rate  as  are  now  pro- 
posed for  his  ma'***  Coin,  which  leaves  the  same  inconvenience,  if  any,  as  is 
apprehended  b}'  the  officers  of  the  Mint,  in  case  the  mint  be  continued  in 
New  England. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  93 

"Lastly.  It  is  not  i)ro])ose(l  that  Letters  Patents  be  granted  to  anyone 
i'ov  a  Mint  in  New  England,  as  in  the  case  of  S'  Thomas  Viner,  but  that 
every  thing  be  performed  by  his  ma'-^*  officers,  and  the  Profit  that  shall  arise 
by  the  Coinage,  applyed  to  his  Ma'>*  use. 

"  Memorand 

"A  Copy  hereof  being  sent  to  the  ofiicers  of  the  Mint,  They  attended 
theii-  Lo'"*  and  presented  the  following  Answer  thereunto. 

"Answer  to  Reasons  for  a  Mint  in  New  England. 

"  1.  Wee  agree  that  money  is  the  measure  of  Lands,  Goods,  Houses,  &c. 
and  therefore  do  deny  that  Lands,  Houses,  and  Goods  (tho'  never  so  much,) 
can  be  the  measure  of  Money,  It  being  an  absolute  contradiction.  As  to  the 
rising  and  falling  of  money  by  Bills  of  Exchange,  it  dei)ends  intirely  upon 
the  Plenty  or  Scarcity  of  money,  and  not  upon  the  number  of  Houses  or 
Extent  of  Lands. 

"2.  As  to  the  standard  of  the  money  of  England  in  weight  and  value, 
wee  do  own  it  hath  been  often  altered,  occasioned  by  the  increase  of  Silver, 
&c..  But  that  is  no  reason  why  the  Mint  in  one  part  of  His  Ma'^''  Dominions 
should  not  hold  equal  Balance  with  that  of  the  other. 

"3.  What  their  Trade  of  Fish,  Provisions,  and  Lumber,  or  Returnes  in 
Pieces  of  Eight  from  Spain,  relates  to  the  Erecting  a  Mint  in  New  England 
differing  from  the  Mint  here,  wee  do  not  understand. 

"4.  That  their  Rents,  Houses,  and  Lands,  and  all  Goods,  have  been 
negotiated  at  9''  for  a  shilling  (w'''  is  about  25  per  cent  less  then  the  money 
of  England,)  and  that  if  they  should  be  ordered  to  make  their  Mint  agree  with 
that  here,  it  would  ruyne  the  Tenant  and  Debitor,  and  di'stroy  the  Trade  of 
the  Country,  &c.  To  which  wee  Answei",  thai  as  to  their  future  Trade,  it  will 
most  certainly  conform  it  self  to  y''  intrinsick  value  of  the  money.  And  as  to 
ibrmer  Rents  &  Debts  care  may  be  taken  that  they  may  be  discharged  at 
];")'*  per  pound,  w'''  holds  proportion  with  the  current  money  of  England,  upon 
which,  if  their  new  Mint  be  made  agreeable  to  his  ma**'"  here,  in  our  humble 
opinions  there  can  ensue  no  dishonuor  to  his  ma'-^  nor  loss  to  the   l*t(i|)lc. 

"5.  In  case  his  ma'^  shall  not  think  fit  to  settle  a  mint  in  New  England, 
then  to  make  pieces  of  Eight  Current  there,  &c..  To  w'''  wee  answer  that 
pieces  of  J  are  but   a  Coiinnoditv  as    other  merchandizes    art',  and    tlu'v    may 


94  THE    EARLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

be  left  at  liberty  to  Barter  the  one  against  the  other,  as  their  Interest  Guides 
them. 

"  6.  When  his  ma*^'  thinks  fit  to  settle  a  mint  in  New  England  wee  shall 
be   ready  humbly  to   ofter  the   best   Rules   and   Instructions  wee   can   for  its 

Establishment. 

O.  Wynne,  Tho,  Xeale,  Ja.  Hoare. 
"Mint,  23"'  October,  1G86." 

"At  the  same  time  was  presented  the  two  following  Reports  to  my  Lord 
Trear  from  the  Comm"^*  of  the  Mint,  touching  a  Mint  in  New  England." 

Here  follow  the  reports  of  January  15,  1685,  and  July  15,  1686,  already 
given  on  jjages  87  to  90. 

"Report  of  the  Committee  ab'  a  Mint  in  New  England,  &c. 
"May  it  please  yo"^  Ma'^ 

"  Wee  have  lately  had  under  Our  Consideration  a  Proposall  made  unto  us 
for  reestablishing  a  Mint  in  yo''  ma'^'''  Territory  of  New  England  vnder  the 
Governm'  of  S'  'Edmund  Audros  ;  And  having  consulted  the  Comm"  of  yo"' 
mat^^  Mint  here  in  England  in  that  behalf.  Wee  do  not  find  that  the  reestab- 
lishing a  Mint  for  the  Coining  of  money  in  New  England  may  be  for  yo' 
ma*''^  service  there.  But  wee  hmnbly  offer  Our  opinions  to  yo'  Ma'^'  that  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Trade  and  Commerce  of  those  parts,  S'  Edmund  Andros 
may  have  power,  by  Proclamation,  to  Regulate  pieces  of  Eight  and  other 
forreign  Coin  Imjjorted  thither,  to  such  current  value  as  he  shall  find  most 
requisite  for  yo'  ma*-"*  Service  and  the  Trade  of  yo"^  Subjects  there. 

"Council  Chambei-,  13  October,  1686." 

"  Order  of  Councill  ag'"  a  Mint,  but  y'  pieces  of  8  shall  passe  in  N.  England. 
"At  the  Court  at  White  hall,  the  27'"  of  October,  1686. 

"  By  the  King's  most  Excellent  ma'''  &  the  Loi-ds  of  his  ma*''*  most 
bono'''"  Privy  Councill. 

"Whereas  the  R'  bono'"'''  the  Lords  of  the  Committee  for  Trade  and 
Plantations,  did  by  their  Report  this  day  read  at  the  Board,  Represent  that 
they  have  lately  had  under  consideration  a  Proposall  made  unto  them  foi 
I'eestablishing  a  Mint  in  his  ma''''  Territory  of  New  England,  under  the 
Governm'  of  S'  Edmund  Andros,  And   having   consulted  the  Officers  of  his 


MASSACHUSETTS.  95 

ma*^*  Mint  here,  in  that  behalf,  Their  Lo''*  do  not  find  the  same  to  be  for  his 
ma''**  Service,  But  oftered  it,  as  their  opinions,  that  for  the  benefit  of  Trade 
&  Commerce  in  those  Parts,  S"^  Edmund  Andros  may  have  Power,  by  Procla- 
mation, To  Regulate  the  Pieces  of  8  and  other  Forrein  Coines  Imported 
thither,  to  such  current  value  as  he  shall  find  most  requisite  foi-  his  ma*''' 
Service  and  the  Trade  of  his  subjects  thei-e,  w'^''  his  ma'''  taking  into  Consid- 
eration, was  pleased  to  approve  of  their  Lo^"  opinion,  and  accordingly  did 
ordei-  that  S"^  Edmund  Andros  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  &  Impowered 
by  Proclamation  to  Regulate  Pieces  of  8  and  other  forrein  Coinc  within  the 
said  Territory  of  New  England,  to  such  current  value  as  he  shall  judge  most 
requisite  for  his  ma*''*  Service,  and  the  Trade  of  His  Subjects  there. 

John  IS^icholas." 

"  His  Ma*'**  Letter  for  the  valuation  of  Pieces  of  8,  &c.,  in  ]S[ew  England. 

"  Trusty  and  welbeloved,  wee  gi'eet  you  well.  Whereas  it  may  conduce 
to  the  benefit  of  Trade  &  the  Commerce  of  Our  Subjects  within  our  Terri- 
tory and  Dominion  of  New  England,  that  the  Curi-ant  value  of  Pieces  of 
Eight  and  other  forreign  Coyn  be  forthwith  setled  according  to  the  usage  of 
Our  other  Plantations  ;  Our  will  and  Pleasure  there  fore  is.  That  by  Procla- 
u)ation  under  Our  Seal  for  Our  said  Dominion  in  New  England,  you  Regulate 
the  Price  of  pieces  of  Eight  and  other  forrein  Coyn  Imported  thither,  in  such 
manner  &  to  such  a  Currant  value  as  you,  with  the  advice  of  Our  Councill, 
shall  find  most  requiset  for  our  Service  and  the  Trade  of  Our  Subjects  there. 

"And  for  so  doing  this  shall  be  yo'  warrant. 

"Given  at  Our  Court  at  Whitehall,  the  31"'  day  of  October,  1(580,  in  the 
second  year  of  Our  Reign. 

"By  his  ma*''*  Command.  Sunderland." 

Chalmers  says  that  "Andros  arrived  at  Boston  in  December,  108(5." 
"In  order  to  facilitate  the  colonial  commerce,  Andros  applied  for  leave  to 
continue  the  practice,  that  had  connnenced  in  the  year  1(5;')2,  that  had  been 
pursued  to  this  time,  notwithstanding  the  prohibitions  of  Chailes,  of  coining 
money  at  Boston.  But  the  project  being  referred  to  the  officers  of  the  mint, 
they  confuted  his  arguments,  and  decided  against  his  application.  Hut  he 
was  empowered  to  regulali-  the  circulation  and  value  of  foreign  coins."  ' 

Tolit.  Amials,  I,.  421. 


96  THE    EAKLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

It  would  appear  from  the  preceding  documents  found  at  the  State  Paper 
Office,  in  London,  that  the  plan  of  authorizing  Andros  to  regulate  the  value 
of  foreign  coin,  must  have  originated  there,  and  was  probably  consummated 
while  he  was  upon  his  passage  ;  but  we  see  no  reason  to  believe  that  he 
exercised  that  privilege,  or  indeed,  troubled  himself  in  any  manner  as  to  the 
financial  aftairs  of  the  colony. 

We  find  in  the  records  of  the  Council  and  Court,'  January  24th,  1(3^, 
which  was  after  the  overthrow  of  Andros,  this,  among  the  instructions  to  Sir 
Henry  Ashurst,  Elisha  Cooke,  M"^  Increase  Mather,  and  D"^  Thomas  Oakes, 
agents,  soon  to  depart  for  England,  "9"''-',  You  are  to  Solicite,  That  the  Lib- 
erty of  Coynage  may  be  allowed  us." 

What  action  was  taken  by  these  gentlemen  toward  the  fulfilment  of  this 
part  of  theii-  duty  is  unknown,  except  so  far  as  may  be  inferred  from  the 
ensuing  report,"  which  was  evidently  called  forth  by  their  petition,  which  we 
have  been  unable  to  find. 

"To  the  TV  Hon"^""  the  Lords  Com^  of  their  Ma"''^'  Treasury  : 

"May  it  please  your  Lop^  — 

"In  Obedience  to  your  Lp"*  Reference  of  the  12  Jan.  Instant, 
Signified  to  I^s  by  My  Secretary  Guy,  touching  the  Proposalls,  and  Reasons 
oftered  to  their  Ma'''*  by  Sr  William  Phipps,^  etc.,  for  obtening  their  Ma""- 
Royall  favour  to  bo  granted  to  the  Generall  Coui't  in  the  Province  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  in  Xew  England  to  Privelige  them  with  Liberty  of  Coyning 
for  the  Benefitt  of  their  Ma''^"  Subjects  in  that  Territory, 

"Wee  haue  considered  their  Reasons,  And  humbly  offer  to  your  Lop'* 
our  Opynions  in  Answer  thereunto. 

"  As  to  the  first,  second,  and  third  Reasons,  wee  Conceive  it  very  proba- 
ble. That  most  of  the  Monies  which  have  been  coined  in  ^ew  England  from 
the  year  1(552  (when  they  had  the  priveledge  of  Coyning,)  may  still  remain 
there.  The  Lightness  of  those  Coines  from  Jamaica,  Barbadoes,  and  other 
places,  in  Returns  of  Trade,  (some  of  which  might  prove  Counterfeit,)  soe 
that  it  is  scarse  credible  (as  they  suggest,)  that  shoppkeepers  and  those  that 
are  buyers  should  labour  under  such  difficulties  for  want  of  Small  Monies  for 

'Vol.  vi,  J).  105  ;  also  Arcliives,  vol.  xxxv,  p.  181.         -Treasury  Papers,  London. 

sFliijips  arrived   in   Boston,  as  Governor,  in   May,  1(392,  an<l  with   him   returned  Dr.  Ineroase 

Mather.— Z>A/A-f\  Jioston,  p.  498. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  97 

Change,  Siiicf  the  coyned  monies  of  New  England  are  the  sliilUng,  Sixpence, 
three  Penee,  and  two  Pence,  Besides  Small  Spanish  coins,  wliich  are  cnri-ent 
there  as  well  as  in  the  other  English  Colonies.  And  in  Lien  of  Smaller 
Pieces  (if  there  Ma"""  shall  think  fitt,)  They  may  he  Supplyed  with  Pence, 
Halfe  Pence,  and  farthings  of  Tinn,  from  PJngland,  to  their  Ma''"*  Advantage. 

"As  to  the  Priviledges  of  Coynage  which  (they  say,)  has  heen  granted 
to  some  other  English  Plantations,  To  the  East  India  Comj)any,  &c..  Wee 
answer  The  Priveleges  of  Coynage  has  not  been  granted  to  any  of  the 
English  Plantations,  (as  is  represented,)  Bnt  on  the  eontrar}^  The  Greate  and 
Repeated  Applications  which  were  made  to  their  late  Ma''""*  hy  the  Respective 
Governors  of  Jamaica  and  ISTew  England,  for  obteining  of  sneh  a  Privelege, 
were  ineffectual  1. 

And  the  Instance  of  the  East  Indian  Company  is  very  different  from 
the  present  case.  Their  Privelege  of  Coynage  being  restrained  and  limitted 
to  their  Forts  in  India,  And  to  the  Coines  of  Monies  Current  in  the  Domin- 
ions and  Territoiies  of  those  Indian  Princes  onely. 

"But  if  their  Ma""'' shall  be  graciously  pleased  to  grant  the  Priveledge 
of  Coyning  Monies  to  the  Generall  Court  in  the  said  Pi'ovince  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts liny  in  New  England, 

"Wee  huml)ly  Propose  to  your  Lordshippes  that  it  may  be  ilirecteil  autl 
appointed.  That  the  Monies  to  be  made  and  Coined  there  may  be  in  weight 
and  fineness  according  to  the  standard  of  their  Ma"'"  Mint   in   England. 

"Since  the  Preservening  of  one  Certain  Standard  in  weight  and  fHneness 
of  there  Ma""'*  Silver  Coines,  in  all  their  Kingdomes  and  Doininicms  is  very 
much  for  the  Security  and  Advantage  of  theii-e  Maj'^~  and  their  Sul)jects, 
(Being  the  Common  Measure  given  by  their  Ma'""  to  their  People,)  The 
Altering  whereof  in  any  one  of  their  Dominions  can  not  but  occasion  Eminent 
Prejudice  to  the  Rest.  lien  Oucrton, 

Tll(.    \ralc, 

"Mint,  Jan.  19,  1G91.  Ja   Hoar." 

John  Hull  was  not  living  at  the  lime  of  the  linal  action  ol'  the  otlicci's 
of  the  crown,  upon  the  restoration  of  the  mint,  he  having  irK'd  Oitoi)cr  1st, 

i(w;i. 

His  residence  was  in  what  was  at  that  llinc  the  south  pail  of  the  town, 
bnt  is  now  noitli  of  the  centre  of  the  city,  —  its  site  being  on  !*cinbcrloM 
Hill,  a   little  soutlici'ly   of  the  entrance   to    I'euilierton   Scpiare. 


98  THE   EARLY   COINS   OF   AJIERICA. 

Rev.  John  Cotton,  of  Boston,  says  in  his  will,  proved  January  27th, 
1652-3,  "  and  because  the  south  part  of  my  house,  which  Sir  Henry  Vane  built 
while  he  sojourned  with  me,  he  by  a  deed  gave  it  at  his  departure  to  my 
son  Seaborne,  I  doe  yrefore  leave  it  unto  hirn  as  his  by  right,"  &c.  Rev. 
John  Cotton,  of  Plymouth,  (son  of  the  above-named,)  in  1664  confirmed  this 
devise  to  Seaborne,  and  he  sells  this  part  to  John  Hull.  In  1677  Nicholas 
Paige  bought  the  residue  of  the  estate  ;  and  in  1682  this  also  was  bought 
by  Mr.  Hull.  It  was  afterwards  occupied  by  Hull's  son-in-law.  Judge  Samuel 
Sewall,  who  is  said  to  have  received  with  the  daughter  of  the  mint  master 
her  weight  in  the  coinage  of  his  mint.  Part  of  this  estate  was  subsequently 
owned  by  Gardiner  Greene.' 

Without  a  wish  to  detract  in  the  least  from  the  well-earned  laurels  of 
John  Hull,  we  cannot  but  think  that  injustice  has  been  done  to  the  memory 
of  Robert  Saunderson,  by  all  who  have  attempted  a  history  of  this  mint.  He 
was  appointed,  as  Hull  states,  at  his  especial  request,  as  his  equal  in  office, 
(the  records  frequently  mentioning  the  "  mint  masters.")  In  the  agreement  of 
June  3d,  1675,  he  is  first  named,  and  his  signature  precedes  that  of  Hull  ; 
and  why  all  the  honors  of  the  office  should,  in  later  years,  have  been  accorded 
to  Hull,  we  are  unable  to  imagine. 

Robert  Saunderson  and  Lydia,  his  wife,  were  among  the  earliest  settlers 
in  Hampton,  in  1638.  He  soon  removed  to  Watertown,  and,  about  the  year 
1642,  married  Mary,  widow  of  John  Cross.  Here  he  remained  until  aliout 
1653,  when  he  moved  to  Boston,  where  he  filled  the  office  of  deacon  in  one 
of  the  churches,  and.  Savage  says,  "was  partner  in  gainful  business  with 
John  Hull,  the  mint  master."     His  death  occurred  October  7th,  1693. 

In  1696  another  efibrt  was  made  to  prevent  the  exportation  of  money, 
and  the  following  order  was  passed  : " 

"  By  the  Hon""'  the  Lieu*  Gov'  and  Council. 
"  Ordered, 

That  Sam!  Sewall,  John  Foster,  and  Eliakim  Hutchinson,  Esq":?, 

be  a  Coiiiittee  of  this    Board  to   confer  with  a  Coinittee  to  be  appointed    by 

the  Assembly,  upon  some   Proposals    oifered  as  an  Expedient  to  prevent    the 

Exportation  of  the  money  currant  of  this  Province  out  of  the  same  :    And  to 

prepare  and  bring  in  a  Bill  for  that  purpose.  If  they  thinke  it  advisable. 

"May  30"\  1696.  "John  Addington,  Secry." 

'Drake's  Old  Landmarks.         ^  ^r<.i,iy^,j;^  vq]   (.j^  j,   55 


MASSACHUSETTS.  99 

"Capt.  Nathan'  Jiyfield,  M'   Nehcmiah  Jewet,  M'  Nathan'  Oliver,  and  M' 
John  Eyre,  are  appointed  by  this  House  to  joyne  with  the  Gent'"  abovenanied. 
"  May  30'^  1()9«).  Penn  Townsend,  Speaker." 

Upon  the  back  of  the  paper  containing  the  last  order,  is  this  proposition 
of  the  committee  : 

"In  addition  to  the  Act  against  Counterfeiting,  Clipping,  Hounding, 
Filing,  or  impairing  of  Coyne,  'Tis  humbly  proposed.  That  the  Coyne  of  the 
late  Massachusetts  Colony,  and  Mexico,  Sevil,  &  Pillar  pieces  of  Eight,  &  half 
pieces,  be  made  to  pass  cui-rant  at  Seven  shillings  p  ounce,  Troy  weight. 

"And  that  a  Suitable  Clause  be  drawn  up,  to  pi-event  the  Exportation  of 
Money.  Sam'  Sewall,  in  the 

"June  2'',  1(J9(;.  name  &  behalf  of  y'^  Comittee." 

Failing  in  all  attempts  to  secure  a  coinage  of  theii"  own,  the  Assembly, 
in  1G92,  passed  an  act  entitled  "An  Act  against  the  Counterfeiting,  Clipping, 
Rounding,  Filing,  or  Impairing  of  Coynes,'"  which,  beside  providing  a  penalty 
for  counterfeiting,  also  regulated  the  value  of  coins.  This  was  the  act  referred 
to  by  the  committee  last  appointed  : 

"AVhereas  divers  false  and  evil  disposed  persons  have  attempted  and 
practised,  for  wicked  lucre  and  gain's  sake,  to  diminish,  im})air,  and  falsifie 
the  money  and  coynes  currant  within  this  province,  l)y  counterfeiting  or 
clip[)ing,  rounding  or  filing  thereof,  not  only  ti>  the  great  discredit  of  the 
province  and  the  govermnent  thereof,  but  also  to  the  great  loss  and  damage 
of  their  majesties'  subjects  ;  and  more  is  like  to  be  if  the  sanie  be  not 
speedily  met  withal  and  prevented  ;    for  I'emedy  whereof, — 

"Be  it  enacted,  and  declai-ed  and  established  l)y  the  (Tovi'inour,  Council, 
and  Kepresentatives,  in  (ieneral  Court  assembled,  and  by  tlu'  authority  of  the 
same, 

"[Sect.  1.|  That  the  coyn  of  the  late  Massachusetts  Colony  shall  pass 
currant  at  the  rate  it  was  stampt  for.  And  j)ieces  of  eight,  sevil,  pillar,  and 
Mexico,  of  full  seventeen  penny-weight,  shall  pass  currant  at  six  shillings  per 
piece,  and  half  pieces  of  due  weight,  pro  rata,  and  (juarter  pieces  of  the  .same 
coin  at  sixteen  pence  per  piece,  and  lealls  of  the  sanu-  coin  at  tightpence 
per  piece. 

'  I'roviiico  Laws,  vol.  i,  |i.  70. 


100  THE    EARLY   COLRS   OF   AISrERICA. 

"  [Sect.  2.]  And  whosoever,  from  and  after  the  pubUcatit)n  of  this  act, 
shall  attempt  and  practice  the  counterfeiting,  or  clipping,  rounding,  filing,  or 
otherwise  diminishing  or  debasing  any  of  the  monies  and  coins  currant  within 
this  province,  l^eing  thereof  lawfully  convicted  before  the  justices  of  assize, 
shall  forfeit  double  the  value  of  the  money  so  counterfeited,  clipped,  rounded, 
or  filed,  one  half  to  their  majesties  towards  the  support  of  the  government, 
and  the  other  half  to  the  informer  ;  and  shall  also  stand  in  the  pillory,  in 
some  open  place  in  the  shire  town  of  that  county  where  the  oftence  is  com- 
mitted, and  there  have  one  of  his  eais  cut  oft'.      [Passed  November  24." 

A  note  following  the  act  says,  " '  The  Act,  &c.,  is  also  i-epealed,  [August 
22,  1695,]  the  punishment  thereby  inflicted  being  only  forfeiture  of  double  the 
value  of  y*  Coin  im]xiired,  &  standing  in  y*^  Pillory  and  loosing  an  ear,  it 
being  thought  fit  that  these  Crimes  ought  to  be  punisht  as  in  England.' " 

An  act  was    ])assed,  October  19,  1697,  reviving  Section  1  of  the   act  of 
1(592,  but  omitting  the  objectionable  features  which  caused  the  repeal  of  that 
act.     It  was  in  these  words  :  ' 
"An  Act  For  ascertaining  the  value  of  Coynes  Currant  within  this  Province. 

"Whereas  foi-  many  yeares  past  the  money  coyned  in  the  late  Massa- 
chusetts Colony  hath  passt'd  cui'rant  at  the  rate  or  value  it  was  stampt  for, 
and  good  Sevil,  pillar,  or  mexico  pieces  of  Eight  of  liill  Seventeen  penny 
Aveight,  have  also  passed  Cm-rant  at  Six  Shillings  j)  piece,  and  halfe  jueces 
of  pi'oportionable  weight  pro-rato,  (piaiter  pieces  of  the  same  Coin  at  sixteen 
pence  p  piece,  and  Reals  of  the  same  Coin  at  eightpence  p  piece, 

"  Be  it  therefore  Enacted  and  Declared  by  the  Lieutenant  (xovernoui-. 
Council,  &  Representatives  convened  in  General  Assembly,  And  by  the 
authority  of  the  Same,  That  all  &  every  the  Coynes  before  mentioned  shall 
stil  be  and  continue  cui-rant  money  within  this  Province,  and  shall  be  accepted, 
taken,  and  received  at  the  resjjective  values  afores'',  according  as  hath  here- 
tofore been  accustomed. 

"Provided,  alwayes.  That  such  of  the  s'' Coynes  as  pass  by  tale,  be  not 
diminished  by  washing,  clipping,  rounding,  fileing,  or  scaling. 

Read  in  Council,  Vot'',  and  sent  down  to 

"  Octob'    19"',  1697.  the  Representatives  for  Concurrance. 

Is'  Addington,  Seci'y."' 

'  Ai-clii\  cs,  vol.  ci,  jj.  93,  ;uh1    I'l'dxitiri'   Laws,  \<il.  i,  )>.  '296.  -An   vrmv  on   )ia<:i'  9S   iiiakt'S 

this   name   '' .hilin    A<liliiiL;t<iii." 


MASSACHUSETTS.  101 

"Octob;    Vii  1097.  Kead  in  the  House  of  Representatives 

a  tirst  and  Second  time  and  debated. 
"Read  Read  a  third  time. 

18""  octo.  Voted  A  Coneurrance. 


10 


th 


Penn  Townsend,  Speaker." 


One  other  act  was  passed  this  year,'  possibly  in  accordance  witli  the 
proposition  contained  in  the  conmiittee's  repoi't  of  Jnnc  '^d,  IG'.IO.  This  is 
the  last  act  we  tind  passed,  during  the  seventeenth  century,  having  reference 
to  the  monetary  affairs  of  the  colony  : 

"  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  ss. 

''An  Act  pruhiljiting  the  Expoilalion   ol'  money   and    IJullion. 

"Upon  Consideration  of  the  scarcity  of  money  within  this  Province,  and 
the  maney  difiicultys  ariseing  thereby,  not  onely  w"'  respect  to  Trade  and 
commerce.  But  also  for  carrying  oji  the  publick  Attajres  of  the  (lovciinn' 
necessary  for  his  Ma'^'*  Service,  more  especially  during  the  Rebi'llion  & 
troubles  with  the  Indians, 

"Be  it  Enacted  by  the  L' Gov"',  Council,  and  Representativt's  in  (icnci-al 
Court  assembled  and  by  the  Authority  of  the  same,  That  no  person  or 
persons  whatsoever  shall  or  may  export,  Lade,  or  put  on  l)oard  any  Ship  or 
(jthcr  Vessell,  in  order  to  expoi't  out  oi'  tliis  I'l'ovincc  any  Coyne  oi-  Silver 
moneys  currant  within  the  same,  or  liullion  over  and  above  the  Sum  of  Five 
])ounds  for  such  person's  necessai-y  Expences,  on  Pain  that  all  such  money 
or  liullion  Ship't  or  put  on  boai'd  any  Ship  or  other  Vessell,  for  ex|jortation 
contrary  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  Act,  shallbe  liable  to  Seizure 
and  l)ccome  f\)rfeit,  and  the  Sliii)per  to  Forfeit  the  like  Sum  or  vaiui'  owv 
and   above. 

"And  if  it  happen  any  money  as  afores'',  oi'  l?iilli()n,  (except  to  tiie  value 
aboves'',  for  any  particular  ])ei-son's  own  Ex])encc,)  to  l)e  e\|)orte(l  out  of  this 
l*rovince  before  Seizure  thereof  be  made,  or  carrii'd  into  any  ol'  tlie  ueigli- 
boui'ing  (xovernni"'  &  exported  lioni  thence,  the  pei'son  or  persons  that  Ship't 
Ol'  caused  such  money  or  liullion  to  be  carryed  out  ol'  tiie  pro\iiice,  laden, 
or  put  iiu  Ixiai'd  any  Shi]!  oi-  other  Vessell,  or  the  person  or  persons  that 
knowingly   carried    out    or  expoi'te(l    the    same,   l)cing    thereol'   convicted    "■hall 

'.Vrcliivi'S,  viil.  <-i,  |i.   lllC),  aiiil    i'rii\ini'c    l,;i\vs,  viil.  i,  |i.  -{Uli. 


102  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF    AMERICA. 

incur  the  penalty  and  Forfeiture  of  double  the  Sum  or  value  of  the  money 
or  Bullion  so  exported,  Provided  that  Information,  Suit,  or  prosecution  for 
the  same  be  had  and  made  within  the  space  of  18  months  next  after  the 
offence  comitted,  and  not  afterward. 

"  The  aforementioned  several  Forfeitures  to  be  recovered  by  action.  Bill, 
Plaint,  or  Information  in  any  of  his  Maj''*"  Courts  of  Kecord  within  this 
Province,  and  to  be  imployed  and  disposed  of  two-thirds  thereof  for  and 
towards  the  Support  of  his  Ma'*  Governmf  within  the  same,  and  the  other 
third  to  him  or  them  that  shall  Informe  &  Sue  for  the  same. 

"And  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  every  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
upon  Information  given  of  any  money  or  Bullion  put  on  boai'd  any  Ship  or 
other  Vessell,  for  exportation  or  carrying  out  of  y"  Province  to  be  expoit'! 
by  warrant  under  his  hand  &  Seal,  to  cause  the  same  to  be  Seized  and 
secui-ed,  in  order  to  Tryal.  And  all  officers  imployed  and  about  the  customs 
or  Imposts,  are  hereby  Impowred  and  required,  ex  officio,  to  cause  Seizure 
to  ))e  made  as  afores''. 

"And  hv  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  afores'!  That  every  Master 
of  any  Ship  or  othei-  Yessell,  before  such  Ship  or  Vessell  be  deered  at  the 
Impost  office,  shall  make  Oath  to  the  following.  That  is  to  say, 

"I,  A.  B.,  do  Swear,  That  neither  my  selfe,  nor  any  of  the  Comi)any 
belonging  unto  the  Ship  or  Yessell  whereof  I  am  now  master,  nor  passengers 
goeing  upon  the  same,  have  or  shall  by  iny  knowledge,  privity,  oi-  consent, 
take  on  board  or  export  in  the  s''  Shij)  or  Vessell,  any  Bullion,  Coyne,  or 
Silver  money  cui-rant  within  the  Prftvince  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  over 
and  aliove  y*"  sum  or  value  of  Five  pounds  foi*  my  own  or  any  of  my  mari'i- 
ners  or  Passengers  particulai"  expences.     So  help  me  God. 

"  Which  Oath  the  Coinission'  for  Impost  or  Receivei-  are  hereby  respect- 
ively Authorized  and  Impowred  to  Administer. 

"Provided  this  Act  shall  remain  in  force  until  the  end  of  the  Session  of 
the  Genei-al  Assembly  to  be  held  upon  y"  last  Wednesday  in  May,  which 
will  be  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  1700,  and  not  afterwards. 

"Decemb'  2P',  1697.     Kead  in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives. 

"  Read  a  Second  time  ;    Read  a  Third  time. 
"  Voted,  And  sent  up  for  Concurrance. 
"21°  Dec',  1097.  Penn  Townsend,  Speaker. 

"  Read  in  Council  and  vof'  a  concurrance 
to  be  Engros't.  Is^  Addington,  Secry." 


MASSACHUSETTS.  103 

The  preceding  papers  comprise  all  known  to  us,  which  Ibnncd  a  part  of 
the  laws  authorizing  or  regulating  the  silver  coinage  of  New  England. 
Those  which  follow  are  all,  not  already  printed,  that  we  find  preserved  in  the 
Archives,  relating  to  the  same  subject,  and  serve  to  show  the  different  plans 
suljmitted,  at  various  times,  some  of  which,  though  not  adopted  at  the  time 
of  their  first  proposal,  were,  at  a  later  period,  while  all  attem])ts  to  render 
the  coinage  free,  failed  entirely. 

The  first  of  these  papers,  the  petition  of  John  Mansfeilld  and  his  wife, 
though  of  slight  impoi'tance  in  its  relation  to  the  history  of  the  mint,  we 
present  as  a  quaint  specimen  of  one  among  many  j)etitions  requiring  the 
attention  of  the  Court  at  that  period,  this  being,  however,  the  only  one  having 
any  reference  to  the  mint.     This  is  endorsed  "  Jn"  Mansfield,  1654.  perused."  * 

"  To  the  Kight  Worshippfull  gouernour,  Depputie  gouernour,  with  the 
rest  of  the  Maiestrats  &  dei)i)uties, 

"  May  it  jjlease  your  worshipps  to  take  into  considderation  the  poore 
Estate  of  John  Mansfeilld,  of  charlstoune,  that  whereas  your  worshijjps  was 
pleassed  by  an  order,  one  gennerall  Court,  to  turne  us  ouer  for  reliefe  of 
this  towne,  myselfe,  wife,  &  children,  &  wee  can  not  haue  it  when  wee  do 
need  it  unlesse  wee  part  with  (mr  Children,  contrary  to  that  order,  the  which 
Children,  being  young,  will  pine  away,  to  the  greate  hassordinge  of  there 
Ivues,  if  wee  shoidd  give  them  aw.iy  ;  besides,  they  are  the  gi'eatest  comfortt 
in  this  woi-id,  and  doe  learne  there  bookes  &  thrine  l)ettei-  with  us,  &  are  see 
h)ueing  to  us,  &  wee  to  them,  that  wee  can  not  till  how  to  part  One  from 
other.  And  I,  for  my  Jiai-t,  do  verryly  beleeife  my  wife  would  ruune  f|iiite 
Madd  il"  anny  of  them  should  be  taken  from   hir. 

"And  therfore  your  jK)ore  humblle  petitiououi-  do  desiri'  your  Worshipps 
would  now  be  pleassed  to  lett  your  poore  petitionoui's  know  what  wee  may 
demaund  on  y'  orde"^  weekly  of  our  (xen"  tonnes  men  ;  while  our  Childnii 
are  ablle  to  goe  to  seruice,  and  haue  had  thei'e  learninge  soe  tliat  wee  tlu-re 
parents  might  be  better  that  keeps  tlu'iu.  And  alsoe  your  poori'  humbii' 
petitioner  morst  humbly  desires  your  worship])s  would  l)e  pleassed  to  grauut 
me  to  be  the  Country  searuantt  for  helping  to  (piine  &  melt  &  fine  sibier 
witii  m'  Hull  &  good  man  Saunders,  in  the  country  howse  withe  tliem,  for  1 
.serued  1  i  yeares  &  2  prentiz  to  the  same  arte,  &  am  a  free  man  of  London, 
and   am  also  sworne  to  be  trew  to  the  Country,  as   1    hoopc    I    sliall,  which,  it' 

'Aritlih I's,  vol.  iv,  )i.  4. 


104:  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

soe  greate  a  fauor  be  now  graunted  me,  your  poore  Supplicants,  my  selfc,  my 
wife,  &  Children,  shall  haue  Cause  Euer  after  to  pray  for  your  Worshijjps' 
health,  peace,  &  prosperitie  heare  in  this  life  &  euerlast  reward  with  God 
aboue. 

"our  howse  do  take  fire  manny  times  because  it  wants  mendings,  is  like 
to  fall  uppon  our  headds  before  we  be  awarr,  &  wee  are  not  able  to  mend 
it  ;  but  is  in  great  want  of  foode  &  other  nessessaries  both  for  ourselves  & 
Children,  my  selfe  jjroaken  bellied,  my  Wife  much  troubled  in  hir  Mind 
because  of  som  Wrongs  &  to  see  how  hai'd  it  is  with  us  and  how  wee  run 
our  selues  in  debt  &  all  for  the  belly,  and  iSo  worke  stirring  ;  nor  are  wee 
respected  heare  because  we  are  soe  poore  &  can  not  haue  imployment  in  our 
callings  ;  &  we  haue  both  ben  Wronged  both  in  our  Estats  &  good  Name, 
&  noe  healpe  as  yet,  but  patiently  abide  the  Lord's  pleassure. 
"  Your  poore  petitioners, 

"John  Mansfeilld, 
&  Mary  Mansfeilld  his 
wife." 

The  first  attempt  to  prohibit  the  exportation  of  coin  met  with  defeat, 
as,  after  being  passed  by  the  Magistrates,  it  was  negatived  by  the  Deputies. 
The  acts  of  August  22d,  1054,  May  19th,  1669,  and  December  21st,  1697, 
prove  that  this  i)roject  met  with  more  favor  at  a  later  date  than  when  first 
proposed.     This  proposition  was  made  in  16,^1  :  ' 

"Whereas,  the  end  of  Coyning  mouy  w'hin  this  Comonwealth  is  for  the 
more  easy  managing  the  traficque  thereof  w'hin  itself,  &  not  Intended  to 
make  Returnes  to  other  Countrjes,  which  cannot  Advance  any  prottitt  to 
such  as  send  it,  but  Kather  a  fowe'^th  part  Losse  Vnlesse  such  persons  doe 
oppresse  &  extort  in  the  sale  of  theire  goods  to  make  vp  the  sajd  losse, 
which  practice  occasioned  heereby  (through  some  men's  preferring  theire  oune 
gaine  before  the  publick  good,)  doth  bring  an  vndervalue  vppon  all  Coiiiod- 
itjes  Raised  among  ou'^selves,  and  vtterly  frustrate  the  end  &  vse  of  mony 
amongst  vs.  This  Court  doth  therefore  order  &  enact  that  whatever  person 
or  persons,  be  they  stranngers  or  Inhaljitants,  that  shall  directly  or  Indirectly 
export  out  of  this  Jurisdiccon  any  of  the  Cojue  of  this  Countrje,  after  the 
publication  heereof,  shall  forfeite  his  or  theire  whole  estate,  one  halfe  to  the 
Countrje  &  the  other  halfe  to  such  pson  or  psons  as  shall  sue  for  the  same, 

'  Aichivi's,  vol.  c,  II.  46. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  105 

&  to  tlu'  t'lul  that  llif  l)ri.'akfivs  of  tliis  Lawe  may  be  cliscouerfd,  Itt  is 
Oi-dort'd  that  the  County  ('oiirt  shall  choose  &  Appointe  in  enei-y  Port 
I'oinu'  w'hiii  theire  seuerall  Countjes  a  water  Bayly  or  Searcher,  that  is 
heereby  Inipowered  to  search  any  su8j)itions  persons  or  Vessels,  chests, 
truncks,  oi-  any  othei-  thing  or  place,  &  vppon  discouery  of  any  somes  of 
money  about  to  be  transported,  shall  cease  the  same,  and  j/esent  the  Case  to 
the  next  County  Court,  who  shall  determine  whither  the  said  monv  was 
Intended,  or  about  to  be  trans])orted  ;  and  if  they  so  finde  it,  then  to  forfeite 
the  same,  on  halfe  to  the  officer  and  the  rest  to  the  Countrje  ;  &  if  any  shall 
travill  by  land  &  be  suspected  to  C-ary  mony,  any  pson,  w'"  a  Constable, 
may  search  for  the  same  ;  if  it  be  discoiiered  it  shall  be  foi-feited,  one  halfe 
to  the  Constable  &  the  other  pt  to  be  CEqually  to  be  divided  betweene  the 
pson  &  Constable  y^  doe  search  for  it.  The  majists  haue  past  this  w"" 
Reference  to  the  Consent  of  theire  bretheren  the  depn'^'*  heereto. 

Edward  Rawsoti,  Secrety. 
"Boston  12  ••   may,  1654. 

"  The  deputyes  Cannot  Consent  hereto. 

William  Torrey,  Cleric." 

There  seems  to  be  a  clei'ical  error  here,  in  regard  to  the  division  of  the 
foi-feited  money,  as  it  gives  three  quarters  to  the  constable.  It  probably  was 
intended  to  be,  one  half  to  the  country,  but  the  manusci'ipt  i-eads,  "one  halfe 
to  the  Constable,"  etc. 

In  .Iiinc,  1(569,  we  find  a  ))roposition  fm-  the  trial  and  stamping  of  the 
foreign  coin  yet  in  circulation.'  This  measure  was  passed  by  the  Deputies, 
but  failed   in   the   House  of  Magistrates." 

"This  Court  being  sensible  of  the  great  necessitie  of  nioni'y  for  the 
more  easie  &  Equall  (-arying  on  of  Commerce  amongst  vs,  &  finding  that 
(^oyninge  liath  not  fully  answei-cd  the  ('ourt's  expectations,  i)ut  there  still 
remayiu's  great  want  fm-  a  I'lulher  sup|)ly,  It  is  tliere  fori'  ordcicd  1)\  this 
Court  &  Authority  thereof,  &  Ih-  It  hereby  enacted,  that  peeces  of  lyglit 
that  are  full  weight,  &  of  the  fmest  of  Sterlinge  money,  shall  passe  in  all 
payments  oi'  money  of  new  england,  at  the  price  of  6^  tK:  halfe  |)eeces.  (|nartii- 
peeces,  and  halfe  (|uarter  ix'cces  in  like  i)i)i)rtion.  iV  tor  the  hctlci-  |i'\  cniion 
of  (lecfilc    licrcin,   thai    ( "nuntcrl'eit    &   li<2"ht    peeces   mav    not    lie   lir   iiiiiu"!lit,  to 


*  Arcliivf'S,   \n|,   r,   p.   136. 


106  THE    EARLY    COINS   OP    AMERICA. 

the  deceiuinge  of  the  people,  This  Court  doth  further  order  that  some  meete 
person  shalbe  appoynted  to  try  &  waygh  all  peices  as  att'ores"*,  &  all  such  as 
he  finds  full  weight,  &  to  be  of  the  finest  of  Sterling  money,  he  shall  put  a 
Stamp  or  marke  vpon  It,  &  receiue  4''  for  the  Stamping  of  each  peece  of 
eyght,  &  in  proportion  for  lesser  peeces,  which  shall  be  for  the  vse  &  benefitt 
of  the  Counti-y;  &  without  the  marke  or  stamp  aboues''  no  man  shall  be 
Injoyned  to  i-eceiue  Spanish  coyne  as  lawfull  payment  in  this  Jurisdiction. 
&  It  is  further  ordered,  that  the  person  appoynted  to  try  and  marke  Spanish 
Coyne  shall  keepe  a  Just  account  of  the  Number  he  mai'kes,  &  for  whom, 
&  giue  an  account  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Country  eveiy  (piarter  of  a  yeare 
or  oftener  if  required  ;  &  the  money  he  receiues  foi-  the  marking,  only 
deducting  what  shalbe  due  vnto  him,  according  to  what  shall  be  agreed  from 
time  to  time.      The  deputyes  haue  past  this  w"'  reit'erence  to  the  Consent  of 

o"^  hon"'  magists  hereto. 

William  Torrey,  Cleric. 
"  2  of  June,  16<)9. 

"  The  magists  Consent  not  heereto.  Edw.  Rawson,  secrety." 

Next  in  order  comes  a  paper  without  dati-,  but  placed  by  Mr.  Felt  in  1(371. 
It  is  endorsed 

"  Mi-.  Wharton's  paper  about  raising  of  money."  ' 
"  That  all  former  Accompts,  debts,  and  transactions  be  Satisfyed,  |jaid,  and 
discharged  in  specie,  according  to  obligation.  Agreement,  or  former  Customes 
saving  in  want  thereof  in  pieces  of  eight,  exept  pern,  at  6"  8'  per  ounce. 

"  That  from  and  after 
the  money  formerly  Coyned    in    New  England    shall    on    all   future  conti-acts, 
dealings,  Ti-ansactions,  and    paym'",  pass  Curr'  at  the  ualew    hereaftei-    ascer- 
tained. Viz  : 

enery  New  Engld  shilling  at  14'' 

euery:  New  Engld  Six  pence  at  7'' 

euery:  three  pence  at  4'' 

euery:  two  pence  at  S*" 

"Prouided  noe  pson  be  compelled  in  any  one  payment  to  accept  more 

then  in  Such  :  4'!  :  and  :  8'': 

''  That  all  mexico,  Pillai-,  Siuill,  and  other  pees  of  I  Bulloine  or  Plate,  or 


1  Archives,  vol.  c,  p.  16'2. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  107 

any  manner  of  Broken  Siluer,  or  other  money  or  Plate  being  of  the  fineness 
of  Sterling  money  or  better,  shall  pass  Curr*:  in  all  payments  at  Seuen  shill 
Six  pence  p  oz  :  But  noe  Plate,  Bulloine,  or  iinknowne  Coj'ne  to  be  imposed 
in  payment  under 

"That  Spanish  Pisstolls  of  Gold:  q*:  4*1  6:  gr:  shall  pass  at  :  2-1"  p  peec ; 
Double  ones,  the  ffrench  Lewis,  and  other  Gold  greatci-  or  Less  of  the  Same 
fineness,  shall  be  ualewd  and  pass  Curr'  Pro  rato. 

"That  all  whole  Kialls  of  plate  shall  be  Curr'  at  nine  pence,  double 
Rialls  at  :  IS**  :  half  pies  :  «  :  at  :  3"  :  Prouided  none  shall  be  compelled  to 
receiue  in  any  one  pa}!!!*  :  aboue  :  10"  :  in  Rialls  and  double  Rialls,  nor  aboue 
:  20"  in  halfe  pies  :  I  :  exccept  by  Weight  at  the  Rate  aboue  said. 

"  That  for  Auoiding  frauds  &  contrauercesyes  in  great  paN'ment  there 
be  in  Boston  and  Salem,  &f.,  Swoi'iie  officers  to  touch,  tiy,  or  essay,  and  to 
weigh  all  Gold  and  Siluer  that  shall  bee  brought  in  to  them  for  that  end,  who 
shall  haue  allowed  y"'  for  Weighing  for  touching 

for  Essaying 

"That  if  any  pson  shall  counterfect,  corrupt,  clip.  Wash,  or  any  Way 
Lessen  or  debase  Coyned  money,  or  Knowingly  bring  into  his  Majestyes 
Dominion,  or  pass  away  or  offer  in  paym'.  Barter,  or  exchange,  any  Counter- 
feet  (iold  or  Siluer,  Coyned  or  uncoyned,  shall  foi-feit  the  same  or  the  ualew 
thereof,  one  halfe  to  his  Ma'^*":  for  Subport  of  his  Gouerment  heer,  and  the  other 
halfe  to  him  or  theui  that  shall  sue  for  the  same,  &c.,  or  be  sett  in  the 
Pillory  or  otherwise  ])unised  according  to  the  Circumstances  of  his  offence, 
Prouided  neuertheless  that  any  psons  may  bring  in  any  Course,  base,  or 
mixed  mettles  to  haue  the  same  refined,  or  may  expose  the  Same  to  Sale  to 
any  Gold  smith  or  to  any  ])sons,  the  Sworne  officers  for  trying  and  Essaying 
being  p''sent  and  priuy  to  such  sale,  or  the  seller  making  first  Knowue  to  the 
buyer  the  Baseness  or  mixture  of  Siicli  (Jold  or  Siluer." 

The  following  minutes,  in  another  hand,  are  found  on  a  slip  of  pajicr 
following  the  last  : 

"All  former  Accompts  &  Debts  I)e  pay'' according  to  Contract  «fc  former 
Custom,  saving  in  want  thereof  in  peices  of  «,  except  Peru  at  G''  8''. 

"All  whole  peices  of  I,  Except  peru,  weighing  15'"  weight  and  upwards, 
shall  pass  Currant  at  six  shilling. 

"all  other,  liullion  &  plate  of  sterling  alloy  shall  pass  Currant  at  six 
shillings  eight  j^ence  per  ounce. 

"All  Peru  peices  at  15''  at  G"." 


108  THE    EARLY    COIXS    OF   AMERICA. 

At  about  this  period,  1G77  to  1G80,  there  were  several  propositions  for 
making  the  mint  free.  The  first  of  these^  seems  to  have  originated  in  a 
committee  of  both  houses,  but  we  find  no  record  of  any  action  thereupon. 

"  In  pursuance  of  an  order  to  obtain  the  Cojnage  of  Bullion,  &  stoppage 
of  Transportation  of  Money,  we  have  descoursed  Capl  Hull  &  others,  &  find 
no  other  expedients  but  the  raysing  of  the  valine  of  our  Coyn,  or  Making 
our  Money  for  future  lighter  by  9  or  12  graynes,  or  Making  the  Mint  free, 
for  the  first,  if  it  be  done  three  half  pence  in  the  shilling,  &  the  law  for  expor- 
tation of  Money  duly  attended,  we  hope  it  may  obtain  what  is  desired  ;  the 
Paying  Coynage  out  of  the  Treasury,  we  find  the  Charge  uncertain  but  great, 
&  both  expedients  attended  with  Difiiculty,  &  therefore  Judge  them  worthy 
of  further  Consideration.  In  the  ]Mean  time,  we  Judge  it  meet  to  Double 
the  Custom  of  all  wines,  bi-andy,  &  I'hum  Imported,  which  being  drawn  into 
the  treasury,  part  of  it    May  pay  the    Charge  of  a    free    Mint,  if  the  Court 

afterwards  see  meet  so  to  Improve  the  same. 

Joseph  Dudley, 

"  June  2,  1G77.  Richard  Caldron, 

Daniel  flishcr." 

Another  proposition  regarding  the  valuation  of  coin  comes  from  the 
Deputies,"  but  is  defeated  by  the  Magistrates  : 

"  For  the  encouragem'  of  the  imi)ortation  of  bullion  &  encrease  of  money 
in  these  pts, 

"This  Court  doth  Order  &  Enact,  &  it  is  hereby  Enacted,  That  hence- 
forth All  peeces  of  eight,  of  good  Silver,  &  of  the  Coine  of  Mexico  or  Sevill, 
&  pillar  peeces,  shall  passe  currant  att  Six  shillings  p  peece.  And  halfe 
peeces  of  Same  Sorts  att  three  shillings,  and  all  Smaller  peeces  of  Said  Sorts 
after  five  shillings  p  peece  of  Eight. 

"  The  Deputyes  haue  passed  this  w""  reference  to  the  Consent  of  our 
honoured  ]Magistrates.  William  Torrey,  Cleric. 

"Octo  31,  1679. 

"  not  Consented  to  by  y**  magis*^  Edw'"  Rawson,  Secrety." 

The  second  plan  for  a  free  mint^  contains  the  eailiest  application  we 
have  found,  of  the  name  Pine,  to  the  monev  of  Xew  England.     It  is  without 

1  Archives,  vol.  c,  p.  -l-li  ;  aihid,  vol.  c,  p.  -241  ;  ^ihiil,  vol.  c,  p.  243. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  109 

signature,  but  in  tiie  handwriting  of  Isaac  Addington,  the  secretary  ol"  the 
Genci-al  Court  : 

"To  the  Honoured  Generall  Court  sitting  in  Boston,  19:  May.  A"  1(380. 

"The  decay  of  Trade  and  decrease  of  money  in  the  Land,  (being  a 
generall  complaint  throughout  the  Country,)  craves  some  Speedy  and  effectnall 
Remedy  :  And  the  most  ])robable  expedient  that  oflfers  is  to  make  the  mint 
free;    which,  it's  hoped,  wilbee  manifest  from  these  Considerations  following. 

"  l*"  All  the  money  that  now  passeth  the  mint  (besides  the  waste  there,) 
returns  to  the  Owner  at  least  Six  and  a  qiiartei-  in  the  hundred  lighter  then 
it  entred,  And  the  impress  adds  notliing  to  tlie  intrinsick  value,  a  Spanish 
Cross  in  all  other  places  being  as  well  esteem''  as  a  New  England  pine. 

"2''  The  least  Loss  being  Six  and  a  quarter  p  Cent,  and  cornonly  more, 
is  so  considerable  for  the  meere  stamp,  that  nothing  but  necessity  makes  it 
tolerable:  Those  who  are  a])le  chooseing  rather  to  lay  up,  or  send  their  plate, 
Bulloin,  or  peeces  of  »  abroad,  and  others  to  sell  to  those  that  expoit  the 
same,  having  something  more  then  the  mint  will  yeild  ;  By  which  discour- 
agement little  of  late  yeares  (compared  to  what  is  laitl  up  and  carried  away,) 
hath  been  coyned  ;  and  of  that  little,  much  dispersed  into  other  Colony's, 
and  thence  consequently  groweth  the  great  diJhculty  &  decay  of  trade. 

"S**  A  free  mint  will  soone  open  all  the  Coffers  in  the  Country,  Secur- 
ity from  loss  and  charge  will  effectually  perswade  to  convei't  dead  treasures 
into  currant  coyn,  and  those  that  have  no  Bancks  through  whose  hands  Ma- 
terials to  make  money  often  pass,  will  finde  the  Mint  their  surest  and  highest 
market  ;  Besides,  Strangers  from  fori'rcign  ])arts,  and  our  own  Plantations, 
being  thus  secured  from  loss  in  the  mint,  Avill,  to  purchase  ffish,  provisions, 
and  what  else  they  want,  i-ather  choose  to  send  peices  of  |,  plate,  or  Bulloin, 
then  run  the  hazard  of  an  unccitain  market  ibr  those  goods  which  they  may 
with  less  loss  send  to  otlici-  parts. 

"The  benefit  of  a  free  mint,  both  to  the  publique  and  every  perticular 
person,  will  far  Surmount  the  chai-gc.  It  being  very  observable  that  in  all 
Country's  where  money  abounds,  the  |)ri(c  of  all  Cofnodity's  and  provisions 
of  their  ])lace  advances,  and  the  goods  importi'd  abate  i)roportionai)lv,  ^Vnd 
less  ti'oubli',  time,  ami  discluirge,  dispatches  all  matters  of  trade,  tlu'u  where 
it  dc|icii{ls  upon  truck,  bai-tcr,  «tc.  And  as  wisdom,  so  is  money  as  defence 
against  the  designes  and  power  ol'  trorrcigii  or  Intestine  I'liicinies.  So  also  it 
will  ])i'event  many  Suits,  contioversy's,  and  incon\ cniencics  amongst  neigli- 
boiu's  and   Ifreinds. 


110  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF    AMERICA, 

"And  upon  approbafon  of  the  meanes  it's  hoped  the  chai'ge  will  not  dis- 
courage, which  may  either  bee  levyed  by  some  easy  rate,  or  by  Excise  upon 
some  of  those  improfitable  coiiiodities  which  are  consumed  to  nourish  lust  and 
vice." 

The  following  is  in  the  same  handwriting  with  the  last,  and  appears  to 
be  a  form  of  order  suljmitted  to  the  Court  by  its  author.  It  is  without  date, 
but  is  presumed  properly  to  follow  the  foregoing  statement,  and  was  so  placed 
by  Mr.  Felt,  who  arranged  these  volumes  of  papers. 

"tfor  incouragement  of  the  importati<m  of  plate,  BuUoin,  and  Spanish 
coyne  into  this  Colony;  And  of  all  jiersons  who  have,  or  may  have,  any  such 
in  their  hands  to  minte  the  same,  whereby  there  may  bee  greater  plenty  of 
money  in  the  Country,  and  Trade  and  coinerce  thereby  revived  and  facilitated. 

"It  is  Ordered  by  this  Court  and  the  Authority  thereof,  that  henceforth 
our  Mint  bee  made  free,  and  that  the  Master  of  the  s''  mint  do  from  time  to 
time  i-eceive  all  such  plate,  bullion,  or  fforreign  Coyne  as  shalbee  brought  to  him 
to  bee  coyned,  by  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  as  well  strangers  as  our 
own  Inhabitants,  who  shall  forthwith  refine  and  mint  the  same,  bringing  it  to 
the  due  Alloy  presci'ibed  in  the  Law  title  Money,  and  shall  deliver  again  to 
the  s'^  person  or  persons  the  just  weight  thereof  so  refined,  in  cui-rant  money  of 
this  Colony,  cleer  of  all  costs  and  chai-ges:  The  s''  Mint  Master  to  bee  allowed 
and  paid  yearely  by  the  Counti-y  Treasuro'',  the  usuall  rate  for  coynage  as 
the  former  Law  provided  to  bee  paid  by  perticular  persons." 

Another  draught  of  an  order,  of  much  the  same  tenor  as  the  last,  is 
found"  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Satfin,  afterwards  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Deputies,  and,  in  108(5,  Speaker  of  that  House  : 

"  Whereas,  upon  mature  Considei-ation  &  by  Dayly  Experience,  it  doth 
Evidently  Appeare  unto  this  Court  That  the  Money  of  our  Coyne  is  much 
diminished  &  become  very  scarce  throughout  the  Country,  whereby  Tradeing 
is  groune  veiy  Difficult,  Delatory,  &  much  Decayed,  so  that  Persons  Gener- 
ally (haveing  otherwise  competent  Estates,)  are  by  Reason  there  of,  in  the 
carrieing  on  and  management  of  their  Kespective  Aftayres,  greatly  straight- 
ened and  Disappoynted,  suites  of  law  increased,  for  Reparration  where  of  it 
is  Thought  meete  &  most  Expedient  for  the  facillitateing  of  Commerce  and 
Quickening  of  Trade  amongst  us,  both  in  Towne  &  Countrey,  To  take  Order 
that  our  Mint  be  made  ITree,  so  as  all  persons,  strangers  as  well  as  our  Owne 

lArehives,  vol.  c,  p.  244  ;  2  ibid,  p.  260. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  Ill 

Inhabitants,  may  be  Encouraged  to  bring  in  Either  PUite,  Bullion,  or  flforraigne 
Coyne,  to  be  minted  into  New  England,  for  their  owne  Advantage  and  the 
good  of  the  Publick. 

"■It  is  Therfore  Ordered  by  this  Court,  and  by  the  Authority  there  of 
Ordained,  that  a  Mint-Master  be  hence  forth  Appoynted  and  Duely  Sworn, 
who  shall  from  time  to  time  Receive,  Kefinc,  &  mint  into  New  England  money 
of  good  Alloy,  (According  to  the  Order  &  Presci-ipt  in  that  case  provided,) 
all  such  Plate,  Bullion,  or  fforraigne  Coyne,  as  any  person  or  persons  shall 
Deliuer  to  the  said  Mint  master  to  be  coyned  as  aforesaid,  who  shall,  with 
all  Convenient  speed.  Refine  the  same  &  bring  it  into  true  Alloy,  and  shall 
deliuer  the  Just  waight  thereof  so  Refined,  &c.,  in  New  England  Money, 
cleare  of  all  Costs  &  Charges,  the  said  Mint-master  to  be  Allowed,  and  ]iayed 
yearely  by  the  Country  Treasurer,  according  to  the  Usuall  Rate  of  Coynage 
formerly  payed  by  perticular  persons.  And  this  order  to  be  and  Remaine  in 
force  the  ternie  of  Three  years  Next  Ensueing  the  date  of  this  sessions." 

The    next   plan  for  the   advancement  of  the    New  England    coins    comes 
from  the  mint  master  himself,  though  wanting  his  signature.* 
"  Boston,  June  6,  1(580. 

"  If  forreigne  Coyne  be  Advanced  without  gi-eat  regard  both  to  weight 
&  fineness,  and  also  without  there  be  a  great  quantity  of  it  in  the  Countrey 
before  it  be  advanced,  It  will  be  much  loss  to  the  Countrey  that  so  Advances 
it.     And  the  gaine  is  onely  to  strangers  y'  bring  it  in. 

"  If  o''  owne  Coyne  be  Cai-ied  out  of  the  Countrey  it  is  a  signe  it  is  not 
soe  light  as  it  may  be,  &  that  it  would  be  for  Publique  advantage  to  make 
it  lighter,  unless  wee  had  some  Publique  income  by  wines,  as  y*  Spanyard 
hath. 

"  If  eveiy  shilling  be  made  12  graines  lighter,  then  all  those  that  have  good 
Peices  of  eight,  i.  e.  both  of  Good  Silver  &  full  weight,  will  advance  about  7' 
or  7''  I  more  then  now  they  doe. 

"Every  12''  then  to  be  2  peny  weight  and  halfe. 
()''  one  peny  weight  G  graines. 
3''  I.')  graines. 
2-'  10  gr. 

"The  same  fyneness  to  be  kept,  &  Put  a  mw  date. 

"Let  the  Coynage  &  wast  be  as  by  (he  last  settlem'. 


'  Archives,  vol.  c,  p.  245. 


112  THE   EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

"ol)j.  1.     from  the  difficulty  of  making  Paym'^ 

"Ans.  1.  Let  all  money  debts  above  six  monthes  old  be  Paid  one  halfe 
in  new  money  &  the  other  halfe  in  old  money  at  its  Present  &  former  value, 
or  the  debtor  &  Creditor  equally  bear  the  loss  between  them. 

"2.  All  debts  not  six  monthes  old  be  Paid  in  new  money,  or  the  old 
as  advanced,  unless  any  Perticuler  Contract  Positively  Express  otherwise. 

"  If  all  the  Bullion  of  the  Countrey  be  Coyned  at  the  Publique  charge, 
it  will  reduce  it  to  a  Certain  fineness,  &  being  weight  for  weight  the  mere'" 
may  as  well  transport  the  Coyned  money  as  the  bulion,  and  then  you  may 
have  noe  money  left  in  the  Countrey." 

A  Avrit  of  Quo  Warranto  was  issued,  June  27th,  1683,'  against  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Company  of  Massachusetts.  This  was  followed,  June  2d,  1684,  by 
Scire  Facias,  which  "  setts  forth  *  *  *  The  s''  Govl'  &  Company  in  their 
Genall  Court  held  at  N.  E.  vizt.  at  Westm''  in  Middx,  Ilaue  made  &  published 
certaine  Laws,"  and  gives  the  substance  of  the  laws  relating  to  the  mint;  and 
another  paper,  headed  "  Briefe  of  the  Lawes  vpon  which  the  Second  Breach 
is  Assigned,"  does  the  same.  These  it  will  be  useless  for  us  to  repeat,  as 
those  laws  have  already  been  given  in  full.  We  will,  howevei",  copy  a  note 
relating  to  the  list  of  grievances  enumerated  in  the  Scire  Facias: 

"  It  is  doubted  the  Breaches  assio:ned  aji:'  the  def'*  are  true  in  fact. 

"But  it  is  as  true  That, 

"(1).  Noe  money  has  been  Eaysed  but  by  Generall  Consent  of  the 
Company. 

"(2).  They  were  long  vnder  the  Burthen  of  an  Indian  warr  without 
any  Assistance  from  abroad,  which  put  them  at  the  End  thereof  into  a  debt 
of  100,000  ",  which  is  not  yet  cleared. 

"  (3).  There  is  none  of  the  Company,  none  that  bore  any  of  the  Taxes 
Complained  of  that  are  agreiued;  they  Saw  the  necessity  of  the  Charge  and 
bore  it  checrefully,  and  now  find  the  effect  of  the  lasting  Peace  procured  by 
it. 

"As  to  the  Mint. 

"That  Avas  set  vp  in  1652,  a  time  of  Licence,  and  Is  a  Conveniency  to 
all  Avithout  detrim*  to  any,  and  if  the  erecting  of  it  be  a  fault,^  It  is  presumed 

1  Drake  states,   (Hist.  Boston,  p.  449,)   "  The  judgment  was  rendered  at  Trinity-terra  [June 
18th,]  1684,  but  an  utticial  copy  of  it  was  not  received  in  Boston  till  July  2d,  1685." 

2  Chalmers  says,  (Annals,  ji.  18"2,  1780,)  "At  a  subsequent  period  the  general-court  gravely 
justified  this  irregularity  by  reversing  the  maxim  :    that  ignorance  of  law  shall  not  excuse." 


MASSACHUSETTS.  113 

to  be  noe  more  then  a  Bare  Ti'espass,  and  nut  to  be  oU'ered  to  avoyd  the 
Charter. 

"As  to  the  Imposeing  of  Oathcs. 

"It  is  hoped  any  Legall  Society  may  Secure  tlieir  mutuall  quiett  by  agree- 
ing on  an  Oath  to  be  taken  by  their  members. 

"And  where  It  is  imposed  on  Strangers  they  may  avoyd  it  by  giueing 
Security  for  tlieir  good  abearance  to  the  Governm'. 

"Soe  Pray  vpon  the  whole  matter  what  is  fitt  to  plead  to  the  Severall 
Breaches  assigned  [by  the  Scire]  fac"  ag'  :  the  DeP**  of  their  Charter." 

In  a  tract  written  in  1G88,  entitled  "  New  England  Vindicated,"  ^  we  find 
this  defence  of  the  colonists  : 

"As  to  what  is  objected  about  Coyning,  many  Goldsmiths  in  London  can 
testifie  that  the  Money  Coyned  in  New  England  is  as  good  as  that  of  Eng- 
land, and  not  of  a  baser  Alloy,  (as  is  suggested.) 

"It  was  formerly  customary  for  private  Persons  in  England  to  Coyn 
Farthings  for  their  own  Use,  and  the  Coyning  in  Massachusetts  Colony  w^as 
little  more  than  that,  and  with  Design  to  prevent  the  great  Injuries  Merchants 
and  others  sustained  by  base  Spanish  Money.  And  the  Mint  was  set  up  in 
1652,  when  there  was  no  King  in  England,  but  the  Government  out  of  Course; 
and  when  the  ancient  Government  of  England  was  resettled,  and  the  King's 
mind  to  the  contrary  signified  to  them,  they  resolved  to  comply  therewith, 
though  many  wayes  disadvantageous  to  themselves.  Was  not  the  Value  of 
Coyn  altered  in  Pensilvania?  Did  not  the  Lord  Baltimore  in  Maryland  Coyn 
Money  with  his  own  Image  on  one  side,  and  his  Coat  of  Arms  on  the  other? 
Did  not  the  East  India  Company?  But  when  they  understood  their  Error 
they  petitioned  the  King  for  liberty  of  Coynage,  and  pardon  of  what  was  past, 
and  it  was  granted  them.  AVhy,  then,  should  New  England  be  esteemed  more 
criminal   than  other  Plantations?" 

With  one  other  iiuotation  we  will  conclude  our  history  of  the  Massachu- 
setts coinage.  'J'iiis  iuterestiuir  account  of  the  system  of  ti'ade  in  the  early 
days,  is  found  in  Lambert's  Colony  of  New  Haven  : 

"On  account  of  a  deficiency  ol'  money,  wages  and  taxes  were  jiaid  in 
produce  or  country  ])ayment,  and  nearly  all  the  mcrcliandisi'  of  tiu"  colony 
was  transacted  hy  the  same  mcdiimi.  A  coitccI  idea  ol"  that  method  of  traile 
in   old   times,  may   he  gathered    Irom   tiie   lollowing  extract    from  the   tra\cls  of 

'  An.lios's  Tr:uls,  vol.  ii,  ii.  11."). 


114  THE    EARLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

Madam  Knight,  a  lady  of  rank,  of  such  remarkable  courage  as  to  make    the 
tour  from  Boston  to  N^ew  York,  about  1695. 

" '  They  give  the  title  of  merchant  to  every  trader  who  rate  their  goods 
according  to  the  time  and  specie  they  pay  in,  viz.,  pay,  money,  pay  as  money, 
and  trusting.  Pay  is  grain,  poi'k,  and  beef,  &c.,  at  the  prices  set  by  the 
general  court  that  year;  money  is  pieces  of  8,  ryals,  or  Boston  or  Bay  Shil- 
lings, (as  they  call  them,)  or  good  hard  money,  as  sometimes  silver  coin  is 
called  by  them;  also  Avamjiam,  viz.,  Indian  beads  web.  serves  for  change.  Pay 
as  monej'  is  provisions  as  aforesaid,  one  third  cheaper  than  as  the  Assembly 
or  generall  court  sets  it,  and  trust  as  they  and  the  merchant  agree  for  time, 
^ow  when  the  buyer  comes  to  ask  for  a  commodity,  sometimes  before  the 
merchant  answers  that  he  has  it,  he  sais,  is  your  pay  ready?  Perhaps  the 
chap  rejjlies,  yes.  What  do  you  pay  in?  sais  the  merchant.  Tiie  buyer  having 
answered,  then  the  price  is  set;  as  suppose  he  wants  a  6''  knife,  in  pay  it  is 
12'',  in  pay  as  money  8'',  and  hard  money,  its  own  value,  6''.  It  seems  a  ver\' 
iutricate  way  of  trade,  and  what  'Lex  Mercatoria '  had  not  thought  of' 

Having  given  the  records  referring  particularly  to  the  moneys  current 
in  Massachusetts  in  the  seventeenth  century,  we  will,  in  order  to  complete 
the  action  of  the  State  upon  the  subject,  next  place  the  few  papers  having 
I'eference  to  the  coin  circulating  in  or  proposed  for  this  State,  eavly  in  the 
eighteenth  century. 

The  first  of  these  acts  may  have  been  issued  partly  on  accoiuit  of  those 
pieces  now  known  as  the  "jSfew  Yorke  Token,"  which  is  found  in  brass  and 
tin,  and  the  "New  England  Stiver,"  in  copper.  This  prohibition,  if  it  did 
apply  to  the  tokens  just  named,  would,  if  issued  soon  after  their  appearance, 
account  for  the  extreme  i-arity  of  specimens  of  these  issues,  —  but  a  single  one 
being  known  of  the  "  Stiver,"  and  four,  two  in  each  metal,  of  the  "  Xew  Yorke 
Token." 

We  know  of  no  other  pieces  likely  to  have  been  struck  about  this  period 
for  circulation  in  America,  or  of  any  more  likely  than  these  to  be  among  those 
here  interdicted.     Sufficient  unauthorized  coin  was  evidently  in  cii'culation  to 
cause  some  difficulties  in  trade  and  call  forth  the  following  act  : 
"  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay. 

"An  Act  against  the  makeing  or  passing  of  base  or  Counterfeit  money. 

"  Whereas  some  persons,  for  private  gain,  have  of  late  presumed  to  Stamp 
and  Emit  peices  of  brass  and  Tin  at  the  i-ate  of  a  penny  each,  not  regarding 
what  loss  they  thereby  bring  on  others,  which,  if  not  timely  rcmedyed,  may 


MASSACHUSETTS.  115 

prove  greatly  detrimental  to  hi.s  Ma"""  Subjects,,  and  embolden  others  to  be  so 
hardy  as  to  attempt  the  doing  of  the  like, 

"  For  Prevention  Avhereof, 

"  Be  it  Declared  and  Enacted  by  the  Lieu*  Governor,  Council,  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  General  Court  Assembled,  and  by  the  Authority  of  the  same, 
That  any  person  or  persons  who  after  the  publication  of  this  Act  shall  pi-csnme 
to  make  or  Stamp  any  such  peices  as  afores'^,  or  others  of  like  or  ditfei-cnt 
mettal,  matter,  or  forme,  and  to  Emit,  utter,  or  put  ofi'  the  same  for  pence,  or 
at  a  greater  or  lesser  value,  and  be  thereof  convicted.  Every  person  so  Offend- 
ing shall  be  punished  by  Fine  and  Imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Court  where  the  prosecution  shall  be,  not  exceeding  the  Sum  of  Fifty  pounds 
Fine,  nor  Six  months  Imprisonment  for  one  oftence.  And  shall  further  Forfeit 
and  pay  in  ciu-rant  lawful  money  of  this  Province  Treble  the  value  of  all 
such  ])eices  as  he  shall  have  Emitted  or  uttered  after  the  highest  rate  they 
have  passed  at;  One  halfe  of  said  Fine  and  Forfeiture  to  be  unto  his  Majesty 
for  &  towards  the  Support  of  the  Government  within  this  Province,  and  the 
other  halfe  to  him  or  them  that  shall  Informe  and  Sue  for  the  same  in  any 
of  his  Maj*-'**  Courts  within  the  Province. 

"And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  afores'!  That  every  person 
or  })ersons  that  have  or  shall  Otfend  as  aforesaid,  shall  Excliange  and  pay  in 
currant  lawful  money  of  this  Province  the  full  value  of  all  such  peices 
haveing  his  Stamp  or  marke  thereon,  unto  any  person  or  ])ersons  that  sliall 
bring  the  same  to  him,  according  to  the  rate  they  have  passed  at. 

"So  as  such  peices  be  brought  and  offered  to  him  to  be  exchanged  at 
any  time  or  times  within  the  space  of  three  months  next  after  the  publication 
of  this  Act,  Antl  in  case  of  refusal  so  to  do,  he  shall  be  compelled  thereto 
l)y  Order  of  the  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  within  the  same  County,  or 
(if  (iiic  .Justice  of  the  Peace,  where  the  value  exceeds  not  Forty  Shillings. 

"And  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  shall  lurcafter  offer  to  put  oil', 
uttciv  ()i-  take   any   sucji  l)ase  or  Countt'i'feit   money. 

"In  Council.      Feb^  2V\  170U-1.         Kead  a  1^' and    2"'."' time   and  Votr.l 

to  be  Engrossed,  and  sent  down  for  Concurrance. 

Is'  AiKliugton,  Scci'y. 

"In  the  House  of  Ivepresentatives.  Feb'7  21,  1700.  Kead  a  first  tinu-. 
28"',  Kead  a  2''  time,     march   12:    I?"'  time,  and  Kesolved  a  Concurrence. 

.John    i^fverctt,  SprakiT." 


116  THE   EAELY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

We  next  find  a  report  of  a  committee  advising  tiie  regulation  of  the 
value  of  coins  of  gold  and  silver,  and  the  coinage  of  "Provine  penc,"  of 
copper. 

"March  3,  ITOJ: 

"  The  Coiiiitte  appoynted  by  this  Present  Gen'''  Court  to  consider  of  the 
proposals  about  puting  a  Valine  upon  Gold,  And  to  make  other  proposals  for 
Supplying  the  Scarcity  of  Mony,  as  they  shall  see  cause,  and  make  Keport 
to  this  Court, 

"  Report  as  followeth, 

"  1)  That  Pistoles  of  fouer  peny  waight  Eaight  grains  do  pass  Curant 
in  all  payments  for  twenty  fouer  Shilings,  And  that  small  pieces  of  fforaigne 
Gold  waying  two  peny  waight  Six  grains,  &  not  Inferior  in  goodnes  to  pistoles, 
do  pass  at  twelve  Shilings  a  p^  ■ 

"  2)  That  p"  of  \  that  are  either  more  or  less  then  seventene  peny  wait 
do  pass  at  seaven  Shilings  p  ounce  Troy  waight,  in  all  payments  of  ten  pounds 
&  upward. 

"3)  That  Provinc  penc  be  made  of  Copper  &  pass  Curant  for  change 
of  Mony. 

"  4)  That  a  Sutable  jS^umber  of  Meet  persons,  with  theii'  Associates,  their 
Heirs,   &c.,  for  the  Space  of  years,   be    allowed,   appoynted,  &   Im- 

powred.  To  Erect  &  Set  up  a  Bank  of  Credit  «&  to  make  &  Emit  Bills  of 
Credit,  at  their  owne  proper  cost  «fc  charge,  from  two  Shiling  Bills  to  three 
pound  Bills,  in  such  propoition  as  they  see  meet,  to  any  Valine,  and  not  to 
take  more  then  Three  p  Ct  p  Ann  for  Intei'est. 

"That  all  other  persons  be  Inhibeted  making  any  of  the  Like  Bills  of 
Credit,  or  Seting  up  Such  Bank  dureing  s''  Terme. 

"  That  no  Person  shal  or  may  buie  any  of  s''  Bills  under  the  Value  therein 
Exsprest,  on  penalty  of  forfiting  the  Valine  of  the  same,  so  Exsprest  in  s'" 
Bill  or  Bills.  Elisha  Hutchinson,  p 

ord''  of  y''  Coinitte. 

"Read  In  Council,  March  0"',  1700,  and  sent  down. 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Mar:  S'":  1700. 

"Read,  1^'  time;  12*:  2*^  time,  &  a  o'"".         Ordered,  That  a  Bill  be  drawn 


'Archives,  vol.  ci,  p.  184.  ^T'i,,.  wonls  in  it:ilics,  in  sect.  1,  were  amended   by  side   notes  to 

six,  four,  and   thirteen. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  117 

pursuant  to  the  first  and  3"  Paragraphs  of  the  above  Report:  (r.'  Paragraphs 
being  accepted,  the  Rest  Rejected.)     Sent  up  for  Concurrence. 

John  Leverett,  Speaker. 
"  March  13th,  1700.         In  Council. 

"Read,  and  the  Question  being  put  for  a  Concurrance,  it  was  carryed  in 
*  ISTegative.  I-  Addington,  Secry." 


y 


On  the  eighteenth  of  June,  1701,  a  proclamation  was  issued  by  Queen 
Anne,  for  reducing  to  one  uniform  rate  the  coins  circulating  in  different  parts  of 
America.  We  find  a  copy  of  this  proclamation  in  the  "American  Journal  of 
Xumismatics,"^  which  we   here  insert. 

"[ARMS    OF    (JKEAT     BRITAIN:     MOTTO,    SEMPER    EADEM.] 

By  the  Queen. 

A      PROCLAMATION 

For  settling  and  ascertaining  the  curi-ent  rates  of  Foreign  coins  in  her  Majesties 

colonies  and  plantations  in  America. 

ANNE,    K. 

IJW'r^^JP^^E  having  had  under  our  consideration  the  dillereut  rates  at  which 
•T:ta  r^s'    the  same  species  of  foreign  coins,  do  pass  in  our  several  colo- 

W\  \\[  t^  nies  and  plantations  in  America,  and  the  inconveniences  thereof, 
^M.r7^r^r!S^^  by  the  indirect  practice  of  drawing  the  money  —  from  one  plaii- 
»^'?wiR^'5«Ci  tation  to  another,  to  the  great  prejudice  of  the  trade  of  our 
subjects;  And  being  sensible  that  the  same  cannot  be  otherwise  remedied, 
than  by  reducing  of  all  foreign  coins  to  the  same  current  rate,  within  all  our 
dominions  in  America;  and  the  principal  officers  of  our  mint,  having  laid 
before  us,  a  table  of  the  value  of  the  several  foreign  coins,  which  usually  pass 
in  i)ayinents  in  our  said  plantations,  according  to  ihcir  weight,  and  the  assays 
madeol"  them  in  our  mint,  thereby  shewing  the  just  proportion  wliicli  each 
coin  ought  to  have  to  the  other,  which  is  as  followeth,  Scvill  i)ieces  of  eight, 
Old  plate,  seventeen-peny-weight,  twelve  grains,  four  shillings  and  sixpence; 
Scvill  pieces  of  eight,  new  plate,  fourteen  peny-weight,  three  shillings  seven 
pence  one  farthing;  Mexico  pieces  of  eight  seventeen  peny-weight  twclvi" 
grains,  four  shillings   and   sixpence.     Pillar  i)ieces  of  eight,  seventeen    \w\\\- 


iTlu-  first  lui.l  Ihiid  |i:ii;im:ii>lis  !iri'  niarkfd  "Passud,"  the  othera,  "liejected."     «  \«l.  vii,  j..  tU. 


118  THE   EARLY    COEN'S    OF   AMERICA. 

■weight  —  twelve  griiins,  four  shillings  and  sixpence  three  farthings.  Pei-u 
pieces  of  eight,  Old  plate,  seventeen  peny-weight,  twelve  grains,  four  shillings 
and  five  pence  or  thereabouts;  Cross  dollars,  eighteen  peny-weight,  four  shil- 
lings and  four  jjence,  three  farthings;  Duccatoons  of  Flanders  twenty  peny- 
Aveight  and  twenty  one  grains,  five  shillings  and  sixpence;  Ecii's  of  France  or 
silver  Lewis,  seventeen  peny-weight  twelve  grains,  four  shillings  and  sixpence: 
Crusadoes  of  Poi-tugal,  eleven  peny-weight  four  gi-ains,  two  shillings  and  ten 
pence,  one  farthing;  Three  gilder  pieces  of  Holland  twenty  peny-weight  and 
seven  grains  five  shillings  and  two  pence  one  farthing;  Old  Rix  dollars  of 
the  empire,  eighteen  penj'-weight  and  ten  grains,  four  shillings  and  sixpence; 
The  half,  quarters  and  other  parts,  in  proportion  to  their  denominations,  and 
light  pieces  in  proportion  to  their  weight. 

"We  have  thei-efore  thought  fit  I'oi-  remedying  the  said  inconveniences, 
hy  the  advice  of  our  Council,  to  pnblish  and  declare,  that  from  and  after  the 
first  day  of  January  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof,  no  Sevill,  Pillar,  or  Mexico 
pieces  of  eight,  though  of  the  full  w^eight  of  seventeen  penyweight  and  an  half, 
shall  be  accounted,  received,  taken,  or  paid,  within  any  of  our  said  colonies 
or  ])lantations,  as  well  those  luider  propi-ietors  and  charters,  as  under  our 
immediate  commission  and  government,  at  above  the  I'ate  of  six  shillings  per 
piece  current  money,  for  the  discharge  of  any  contracts  or  bargains,  to  be 
made  after  the  said  first  da}^  of  January  next,  the  halfs  quarters  and  other 
lesser  pieces  of  the  same  coins  to  be  accounted,  received  taken,  or  paid  in  the 
same  proportion:  And  the  curi'ency  of  all  pieces  of  eight  of  Peru,  dollars, 
and  other  foreign  species  of  silver  coins,  Avhether  of  the  same  or  baser  alloy, 
shall,  after  the  said  first  day  of  January  next,  stand  regulated,  according  to 
their  weight  and  fineness,  according  and  in  proportion  to  the  rate  befoi-e 
limited  and  set  for  the  pieces  of  eight  of  Sevill,  Pillar,  and  Mexico;  so  that 
no  foreign  silver  coin  of  any  sort  be  permitted  to  exceed  the  same  i^ropoi'tion 
upon  any  account  whatsoever. 

"And  Ave  do  hereby  require  and  command  all  our  Governours,  Lieutenant 
Governours,  Magistrates  officers  and  all  other  our  good  subjects,  within  our 
said  colonies  and  plantations,  to  observe  and  obey  our  directions  herein  as 
they  tender  our  displeasure. 

"Given  at  our  Castle  at  Windsor,  the  eighteenth  of  June  1701.     In  the  third 
year  of  our  reign. 

GOD    SAVE    THE    QUEEX." 


MASSACHUSETTS.  119 

The  Queen's  ])roclamation  Avas  communicated  to  the  Council  on  the  28th 
of  November,  1704,  as  we  find  this  entry  upon  the  Council  Records  of  that 
date:  "His  ExcelF  communicated  to  the  Council  a  Letter  from  the  Rf  Hon*"* 
the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations,  accompanying  Her  Maj'*'' 
Royal  Proclamation  of  the  18""  of  June  past,  for  setling  and  ascertaining  the 
curr'  Rates  of  Foreign  Coynes  in  Her  Maj'^^  Colonys  and  Plantations  in 
America,  and  ordered  the  s''  Proclamation  to  be  pi'inted  &  published  in  solenui 
manner.'' 

This  proclamation  called  forth  the  ensuing  action  by  the  authorities  here, 
on  the  third  of  Marcli,  170^.' 
"  Ordered, 

"  That  there  be  fortliwilli  a  procJaiiiatiou  Issued, 

"That  no  Money  shall  pass  by  Tale  but  what  is  of  due  weight  according 
to  her  Majestyes  i)roclamation  and  the  hnvs  of  the  i)i'ovince. 

"  &  That  all  other  light  Money  &  plate  of  sterling  alloy  shall  pass  &  be 
good  in  payments  at  seven  shillings  by  the  ounce  Troy  pro  rato,  tC  no  More 
untill*  farther  j)rovision  be  made  by  the  asseiiihl//  al  Ihcir  next  session. 

"March  3",  1701.         In  Council. 

Read  and  j)ass'''.  Is''  Addington,  Secry. 

"  Sent  down  for  concui-rance. 
^^  In  the  House  of  Representatives. 

"Die  pdict.     Read, 

And  Pass'd  a  Non-Concurrence.  Ja"  Converse,  Speaker. 

*'  In  Council,  march  3''.     Passd  w"'  the  amendment. 

"  Sent  down^  concurrance.  Is''  Adilington,  Secry. 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives. 

"Die  pdict.     Read  &  Pass'd  w'"  y"  amend""  annex'd. 

Jam^  Converse,  Speaker." 

*  "  untill  the  end  of  the  session  of  this  Court  in  mav  next,  when  further 
consideration  shall  be  had  thereof. 

"march  3''.     Agreed  to  In  Council." 

The  amendment  mentioned  above  is  upon  a  slij)  of  jjaper  sealed  upon  the 
.sheet,  and  is  intended  to  take  the  i)lace  of  the  line  in  italics  ;  whether  the 
other  italicised  words  were  intended  to  be  omitted,  is  uncertain. 

In  accordance  with  the  last  order  the  ensuing  j^rodamation  was  issued  : 

'  Archives,  vol.  ci,  p.  28G.         **  >Sic. 


120  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

"By  his  Excellency  Joseph  Dudley,  Esq!",  Captain  General 
and  Governour  in  Chief  in  and  over  Her  Majesties  Province 
of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  Engl''. 

A     PROCLAMATION. 

"Whereas  Her  Majesty,  by  Her  Royal  Proclamation  For  Settling  and 
ascei-talning  the  current  rates  of  Foreign  Coins  in  Her  Ma'^"  Colonies  and 
Plantations  in  America,  Given  at  Her  Ma'*'*  Castle  at  Windsor,  the  Eighteenth 
day  of  June,  In  the  Third  year  of  Her  Reign,  hath  Published  Her  Royal 
Pleasure,  That  all  foreign  Coins  be  reduced  to  the  same  current  rates  within 
all  Her  Dominions  in  America,  according  to  their  weight  and  Value  and  just 
proportion  which  Each  Coin  ought  to  have  to  the  other,  as  in  the  s"'  Procla- 
mation is  i)aiticularly  set  forth  and  express'd.  But  forasmuch  as,  by  the 
corrupt,  wicked  practices  of  some  ill  men,  the  running  coins  within  this  Prov- 
ince are  so  debased  and  Impaired  by  rounding  and  clipping,  (Xotwithstaing 
the  good  and  wholesome  Laws  made  against  the  same,)  To  the  rendring  of 
Her  Maj'**  Royal  Intention  impracticable.  And  will  be  of  pernicious  and  fatal 
Consequence  to  Her  Ma'*^  good  Subjects,  unless  it  be  speedily  prevented. 

"For  Remedy  whereof, 

"I  do,  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of  Her  Maj'-*  Council  and 
of  the  Representatives  in  General  Court  assembled.  Declare  and  Order,  That 
from  and  after  the  Publication  hereof,  no  money  shall  pass  by  Tale  but  what 
is  of  one  weight,  according  to  Her  Ma'-*^  Pi'oclamation  and  the  Laws  of  this 
Province;  That  all  other  light  money  and  Plate  of  Sterling  Alloy  shall  pass 
and  be  good  in  ])ayments  by  the  ounce  Troy  pro  rato,  until  the  End  of  the 
Session  of  this  Court  in  May  next,  when  further  Consideration  shall  be  had 
thereof. 

"And  the  Sherift'es  of  the  several  County's  are  hei-eby  Commanded  to 
Publish  this  Proclamation  within  the  same. 

"Given  at  the  Council  Chamber  in  Boston,  the  Third  day  of  March,  1704,  In 
the  Third  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Soveraign  Lady  Anne,  by  the  Grace 
of  God,  of  England,  Scotland,  France,  and  Ireland,  Queen,  Defender  of 
the  Faith,  &c.  J.  Dudley. 

"  By  Order  of  the  Govern"",  Council,  and  Assembly. 

Is*  Addington,  Secry. 

GOD    SAVE    THE    QUEEN." 


MASSACHUSETTS.  121 

Thus  aifairs  remained  until  June  1st,  IGOo,  when  this  order'  was  passed; 
"  1st  June,  1705.     In  Council. 

"Ordered,  That  Elisha  Ilutehinson,  W"!'  Browne,  Sam'  Sewall,  Eliakim 
Hutchinson,  Samuell  Legg,  Esq?,  with  the  Secretary,  be  a  Committee  of  the 
JJoard  to  joyne  with  such  as  shall  be  named  by  the  Representatives,  to  con- 
sider and  Report  what  they  shall  thiuke  proper  to  be  done  by  this  Court  for 
the  annexing  of  Ptnaltys  on  such  as  shall  offer  money  b>j  tale,  under  Due 
weight,  and  further  for  the  reforming  of  the  money. 

"Sent  down  for  concurrance.  Is"*  Addington,  Secry. 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives, 

June  IT  1705,  Read.     5:  Read. 

"  7'!'  Pass'd  a  Concurrence  witli  the  amendm'  annex'd,  &  That  Capt  Sam'.' 
Checkley,  Capt.  Stephen  French,  Maj'  Sam"  Brown,  M'  Nath"  Knolton,  Maj' 
Jam:  Converse,  Cap".  Tho^  Oliver,  Mr  Sam'|  Chipj),  M^  Ephr'l'  Pierce,  M^  Sam" 
Ivnowles,  &  Cap'  Preserved  Clapp,  be  a  Comittee  to  Joine  with  the  Coiiiiltee 
of  the  Board  in  the  aftair  above  mentioned. 

Thomas  Oakes,  Speaker. 

"Agreed  —  In  Council.  Is*  Addington,  Secry." 

The  amendment  is  "for  the  reforming  of  the  money  &  rendring  the  law 
effectuall  to  Prevent  the  Debasing  thereof."  The  italics  denote  the  words 
erased  for  the  substitution  of  the  amendment. 

The  committee  ai)p<)inted  by  tlie  last  order  report,  June  8,  1705,  and  the 
action  relating  to  their  recommendation  is  recorded  with  their  repoi-t.-' 

(Attachcd  to  the  ensuing  report  is  a  copy  of  the  preceding  proclamaliuii, 
printed  in  Old  English  type,  and  lieaded  by  the  British  coat-of-arms.) 

"June  8'"  1705. 

"That  this  Pi'oclainatioii   \k'   r('\i\f(l   and   (■(nitiiiucd   witlioiil    Limitation, 

"That  the  Treasuiti-  and  Receiver  (Jeneral  of  the  Province,  The  Treas- 
urers-of  the  several  Countys,  Towns,  and  all  Constables,  Collectors,  and  Sub- 
ordinate Receivers  under  either  of  them. 

"All  Judges,  Jurors,  and  Piiblick  OHicers  whatsoever  be  Commanded 
Strictly  to  Conform  tlicinsclves  accordingly.  Saving  all  pas't  particular 
Contracts. 

"That  some  skilful  persons  be  appointed  to  calcuiati'  a  Tal)K'  of  tlu'  dm- 

'  Ardiives,  vol.  ci,  |..  '29'2;  ail.i.l,  p.  '291. 


122  THE    EARLY   COIXS    OF   AMERICA. 

l)i-opoi-tion  of  Coines  and  Silver  of  Sterling  alloy  by  the  Ounce  Troy  to  the 
weight  of  a  pen}',  and  that  Copy's  thereof  be  printed. 

"That  some  other  skilful  person  be  appointed  to  make  weights  of  brass 
of  the  Ounce  Troy  to  the  least  denomination  with  such  Stamps  thereon  as 
the  Governo"'  and  Council  shall  direct. 

"All  which  is  humbly  Submitted  by         Elisha  Hutchinson,  by  order 
"June  9'."  1705.  of  the  Committee. 

"Read  in  Council. 
"June    11'.''  1705.         Read  and  Pass'd  an  acceptance  w"'  this  Addition,  Viz' 

" Provided,  That  for  all  past  bargains  and  Debts  except  by  Special  Con- 
ti-act.  If  the  Debtor  shall  tender  Satisfaction  to  his  Creditor  in  y"  bills  of 
Publick  Credit  on  this  Province,  all  process  in  the  Law  shall  be  stayed  against 
eveiy  such  Debtor  by  the  space  of  twelve  months  next  comeing  and  then 
proceed.     Sent  down  for  concurrance." 

Xo  further  action  appears  to  have  been  taken  upon  this  repoi-t. 

We  have  discovered  nothing  further  in  relation  to  coin  or  coinage  until 
the  issue  of  silver  and  copper  Avas  ])roposed  in  17SG.  In  the  interim  attention 
was  directed  to  the  project  of  issuing  "Bills  of  Credit,"  as  paper  money  was 
then  called.  "With  one  order  relating  to  these,  not  having  met  with  it  in  print, 
we  will  finish  this  department  of  our  subject: 
"I^ovf  2(3'"  170(J.     In  Council. 

"Ordered,  That  a  Plate  be  forthwith  jirovided,  and  the  Eight  several 
Stamps  or  blazons  affix'd  to  the  Bills  of  Publick  Credit  on  this  Province 
rcsjiectively,  be  Engraven  thereupon;  And  That  the  Connnittee  for  Imprinting 
of  the  Bills,  do  forthwith  Impi'int  one  [Three]  Thousand  or  more  [proportion- 
ably  to  the  sum  they  pay  in  the  publick  Tax,]  of  them,  to  be  dispersed  and 
Transmitted  to  the  several  Towns  Avithin  the  Pi'ovince,  for  the  better  Infor- 
mation of  Her  Ma'^''  good  Subjects  of  the  ditferent  foi-m's  of  the  said  Stamps, 
and  to  which  of  the  Bills  respectively  they  belong  ;  The  figure  of  the  Sum 
of  the  Bill  to  be  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  Stamp  ;  for  discourageing  and 
jireventing  the  Designs  and  Endeavours  of  ill  men  to  alter  and  increase  the 
Sum  of  the  Bills.  Is''  Addington,  Secry." 

"  Sent  down  for  Concurrance. 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives.  Xov!"  20,  1706.  Read  and  concurrVl, 
with  y*^  amendments  annex'd.  Thomas  Oakes,  Spe"^. 

"In  Council,  Agreed." 


MARYLAND. 


Tlie  c-hai'ter  of  Maryland,  which  had  been  j)ivpared  for  George,  the  first 
Lord  Baltimore,  not  having  been  perfected,  owing  to  some  delays  in  the 
completion  of  the  necessary  foi'malities  before  his  death,  which  occurred  Api'il 
i;Jth,  1(332,  it  was,  according  to  Ogilby,  passed  in  favor  of  his  son  Cecil,  the 
second  Lord  Baltimore,  "  under  the  Great  Seal  of  England,  bearing  Date  June 
20,  1(532.  in  the  eighth  Year  of  His  said  Majesties  Keign,  with  all  Royal 
Jurisdictions  and  Prerogatives,  both  Military  and  Civil  in  the  said  Province, 
as  Power  to  Enact  Laws,  Power  of  pardoning  all  manner  of  Oti'cnces,  Power 
to  confer  Honors,  &c."  It  is  probable  that,  although  the  power  of  coining 
money  was  not  specified,  Cecil  considered  the  j)owers  therein  conveyed  as 
ample  to  justify  him  in  sucli  a  ])roceeding,  especially  as  tliat  power  had  been 
granted  to  Virginia  in  the  terms  of  her  patent  of  April   10th,   1(500. 

In  relation  to  the  coinage  of  Loid  Jiallimore,  for  Maryland,  little  is  known 
in  addition  to  the  information  funiislied  by  S.  F.  Streeter,  in  his  "Sketch" 
l)efore  referred  to.  We  shall,  tluiefore,  upon  the  subject  of  this  coinage, 
fpiote  largely  from  that  pajjcr  : 

"The  principal  ])roduction  of  Maryland,  as  well  as  ol"  \'ii-ginia.  Cor  a  loug 
period  after  tluii'  lirst  sett  lenient,  was  tobacco;  and  this  also  formed  their 
principal  ai-ticle  of  eunvncy.  AVhile  settlers  and  serxauls  were  few  in  luiinber, 
and  the  2^rice  of  the  article  was  high,  tlieiv  was  liut  little  diiricnlty;  l)ut  as 
the  population,  and  consequently  the   production,  increased,  and    the   value   ui' 


124  THE   EARLY   COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

tobacco  suftered  a  marked  diminution,  the  resources  and  comforts  of  the  col- 
onists were  seriously  abridged,  and  their  progress  impeded.        *       *        * 

"Maryland,  from  the  first  period  of  her  settlement,  suffered  similar  diffi- 
culties, in  reference  to  a  circulating  medium,  to  those  experienced  in  Virginia. 
Indeed,  the  estal)lishment  of  a  new  settlement  engendered  an  additional  com- 
petition, which  tended  to  depress  the  value  of  tobacco,  and  thus  made  it  less 
available  than  before  as  an  article  of  currency.  The  amount  of  money,  there- 
fore, which  found  its  way  into  the  colony,  or  which  remained  there,  was  but 
small ;  the  rents  of  land  being  payable  in  tobacco  at  a  fixed  value,  and  traffic 
for  goods  being  carried  on  in  the  same  article,  or  with  such  furs  as  were 
obtained  by  traders  licensed  to  deal  with  the  Indians. 

"  During  one  period  of  great  distress  and  civil  difficulty,  his  lordship's 
cattle  Avere  made  to  fulfil  the  office  from  which  one  of  our  terms  indicating 
money  is  derived,  and  discharged  a  pecuniary  obligation  due  to  certain  soldiers, 
who  were  somewhat  mutinous  on  account  of  not  receiving  their  pay;  and  in 
1650,  instead  of  a  money  tax,  a  levy  of  half  a  bushel  of  corn  per  poll  was 
made  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Ann  Arundel,  St.  Mary's,  and  Kent  counties, 
for  the  support  of  Governor  "William  Stone.  Powder  and  shot  were  also 
common  articles  of  currency,  and  formed,  as  in  Virginia,  almost  the  only 
medium  in  which  ship  duties  were  paid;  when,  at  the  suggestion  of  some  of 
the  leading  colonists,  his  lordship  began  to  entertain  the  idea  of  providing  a 
currency  for  his  colony,  which  would  greatly  diminish  the  obstacles  then 
existing  in  the  way  of  trade,  and,  it  was  hoped,  prove  profitable  to  him,  as 
well  as  advantageous  to  the  colony. 

"  He  accordingly  had  the  dies  prepared  in  London,  and  specimens  of  the 
coins  which  he  proposed  to  put  in  circulation  struck  oft",  which,  with  letters 
to  the  governor  and  council,  and  to  his  brother,  Philip  Calvert,  he  despatched 
on  the  12th  of  October,  1659.  The  nature  of  the  communications  will  appear 
from  the  following  extracts  from  the  original  records  of  the  council :  — 

"  'At  a  Councell  held  at  Bushwood,  Mr.  Slyes  howse,  in  St.  Mary's  County, 
on  Saturday,  the  S''  of  March,  1659-60. 

"  '  Present,  —  The  Gov.  Josias  Fendall,  Esq. ;  Philip  Calvert,  Esq.,  Secre- 
tary; Thomas  Gerrard,  Esquier,  Coll.  John  Price,  Robert  Clarke,  Esqr.,  Col. 
Xathaniell  Utye,  Baker  Brooke,  Esqr.,  Doctor  Luke  Barber. 

" '  Then  was  read  his  L'd'ps  Letter,  directed  to  his  Lieutenant  and  Coun- 
cell, dated  12th  of  October,  and  directed  to  the  Secretary,  touching  the  Mint, 
as  foUoweth,  viz:  — 


MARYLAND.  12."> 

'"Alter  my  hearty  coiniiieiidation^,  &c.  Having  with  great  paiiies  and 
charge,  procured  Necessaries  for  a  particular  coyne  to  be  currant  in  Marylantl, 
a  sample  whereof,  in  a  peece  of  a  shilling,  a  sixpence,  and  a  groate,  I  herewith 
send  you,  I  recommend  it  to  you  to  promote,  all  you  can,  the  dispersing  it, 
and  by  Proclamation  to  make  cui-rant  within  Maryland,  for  all  payments  upon 
contracts  or  causes  happening  or  arising  after  a  day  to  be  by  you  limited  in 
the  said  Proclamation:  And  to  procure  an  act  of  Assembly  for  the  punishing 
of  such  as  shall  counterfeit  the  said  Coyne,  or  otherwise  offend  in  that 
behalfe,  according  to  the  form  of  an  act  recommended  by  me  last  year  to  my 
Governonr  and  Secretary;  or  as  neere  it  as  you  can  procure  from  the  Assem- 
bly, and  to  give  me  your  advice  next  year  touching  what  you  think  best  to 
be  further  done  in  that  matter  touching  coyne;  for,  if  encouradgemnt  be  given 
by  the  good  success  of  it  this  yeare,  there  wilbe  abundance  of  adventiu'ers 
in  it  the  next  yeare.' 

"With  this  communication  was  also  forwarded  the  following  letter  to  his 
brother  Philip,  then  Secretary  of  State: 

"'To  my  most  affectionat  loving  brother,  Philip  Calvert,  Esqr.,  at  St. 
Mary's,  in  Maryland. 

" '  I  sent  a  sample  of  the  Maryland  monc}^,  with  directions  for  the  pro- 
cin-ing  it  to  pass,  because  I  imderstood  by  letters  this  yeare  from  the  Governor 
and  you  and  others  that  there  was  no  doubt  but  the  people  there  would 
accept  of  it,  which  if  we  find  they  do,  there  wilbe  meanes  found  to  supply  you 
all  there  with  money  enough;  but  though  it  would  be  a  very  great  advantage 
to  the  Colony  that  it  should  pass  current  there,  and  an  utter  discouradgment 
foi'  the  future  supply  of  any  more,  if  there  be  not  a  certain  establishment 
this  yeare,  and  assurance  of  its  being  vented  and  currant  there,  yet  it  must 
not  be  imposed  upon  the  people  but  by  a  Lawe  there  mack'  by  their  consents 
in  a  General!  Assembly,  which  I  i)ray  failc  not  to  signify  to  the  Governor  and 
Councell  there  together  from  me,  by  showing  them  this  Letter  from 

Your  most  afleclionat   Brother  C.  Baltkmokk. 

"'London,  12  October,  lG.">i).' 

"Ten  days  after  the  rece])tion  ol'  his  lordship's  letters,  ai\d  the  discussion 
in  council  of  the  ([uestion  of  the  best  mode  of  introducing  his  new  coinage 
among  the  people,  Governor  Fendall,  willi  a  part  ol"  the  council,  attempted  to 
revolutionize  the  i)rovince,  and,  tin-owing  oil'  all  di'|)endeni'e  n|)on  l^ord  l^alli- 
more,  to  concenti-ate  all  power  in   themselves,     ^flicv  were  jirobably  incited   to 


12(3  THE    EARLY    COINS   OF    AMERICA. 

this  by  the  unsettled  state  of  aftairs  in  England;  but  they  soon  found  there 
was  no  hope  of  success,  and  were  glad  to  give  in  their  submission  to  the 
newly-restored  king,  and  to  Lord  Baltimore  as  the  lawful  proprietary  of  the 
province. 

"The  confusion  that  followed  this  wild  attempt  of  Fendall  and  his  party, 
of  course,  rendered  it  impossible  to  carry  out  the  proposed  plan  in  reference 
to  a  specie  currency.  According  to  his  Lordship's  prudent  and  just  instruc- 
tions, the  coins  were  not  to  be  forced  upon  the  peojjle;  on  the  contrary,  he 
would  not  consent  to  their  introduction,  until  the  people,  by  their  repi'esenta- 
tives,  had  not  only  expressed  their  assent,  but  had  even  invited  their  emission. 

"Philip  Calvert  received  his  commission  to  act  as  governor,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1(360,  and  complied  as  promptly  as  possible  with  the  wishes  and  instruc- 
tions of  his  brother.  In  April  following,  an  assembly  was  held  in  St.  John's, 
and,  at  his  instance,  an  act  was  drawn  up  and  passed,  '  for  setting  up  a  mint 
within  the  Province  of  Maryland.'  " 

There  are  preserved  among  the  papers  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  three  draughts 
of  the  act  referred  to  above,  of  which  the  two  following  are  from  certified 
copies;    the  other,  being  a  repetition  of  the  second  of  these,  Ave  omit. 

"  An  Act  conceining  the  setting  up  of  a  mint. 

"  Forasmuch  as  money  being  the  rule  &  measure  of  y*  value  of  Coinod- 
ities,  no  trade  or  commerce  can  be  well  managed  w^ut  it.  &  the  want  of  it 
in  this  Province  is  a  main  hinderance  to  y*"  advancement  of  this  Colony  in 
ti-ades.  Manufactures,  Towns,  &  all  other  things  w'=''  conduce  to  y^  flourishing 
&  happy  Estate  thereof.  Wee  the  ff'reemen  of  this  Province  Assembled  in 
this  present  gen'"'  Assembly  doe  humbly  pray  y*"  L*  Prop'  of  this  Province  to 
take  order  for  y*"  setting  up  of  a  mint  for  coyning  of  money  w^^in  this  Province 
&  consent  that  it  may  be  enacted.     And 

"Be  it  enacted  by  y"  L''  Prop'*  w"'  y*'  consent  of  the  upper  and  Lower 
houses  of  this  present  gen'^"  Assembly  that  y*"  money  so  eoyned  or  w'^''  shall 
be  eoyned  in  the  said  mint  shall  be  as  good  silver  as  the  currant  coyn  of 
English  stei-ling  money.  And  that  y"  weight  of  every  shilling  so  eoyned  as 
atbres''  shall  weigh  above  nine  pence  in  such  silver  as  afores'',  &  soe  propor- 
tionably  for  othei-  peeces  of  money  eoyned  in  said  mint.     And 

"Be  it  further  enacted  that  every  offence  of  Clipping,  scaling,  Countei- 
feiting,  washing  or  any  way  diminishing  any  Coyne  soe  to  be  made  within 
this  Province  shall  suffer  pain  of  death,  &  forfeit  his  or  her  Lands,  goods  & 


MAHYI.ANI).  127 

Chatties  w"'in  this  Province,  to  the  Lord  Prop"  of  tliis  Province,  &  his  heirs 
Lords  &  Prop"'*  of  the  same.     And 

"It  is  further  enacted  by  y*  autho.  afores''  that  y*  L''  Pi-op"^  &  his  heircs 
Lords  &  prop"  of  this  Province  shall  take  &  accept  y*  s''  coyne  in  payment 
for  his  Kent,  Arreares  of  rent,  «fc  all  other  engagem'"  due  unto  him  y''  s'  Lord 
Pi'op"  &  his  heires  Lords  &  Proij"  of  this  Province,  according  to  this  Act." 

"'An  Act  concerning  the  setting  up  of  a  mint  within  the  Province  of  Maryland. 

"'Forasmuch  as  money  being  the  Rule  and  nu-asurc  of  the  value  of 
Coiiiodities,  noe  trade  or  Coiiierce  can  be  well  managed  without  it,  And  the 
want  of  it  in  this  Province  is  a  main  hinderance  to  the  advancement  of  this 
Collony  in  trades,  Manufactui-es,  Townes,  and  all  other  things  which  Conduce 
to  the  flourishing  and  happy  Estate  thereof,  Wee,  the  freemen  of  this 
Province  Assembled  in  this  present  Generall  Assembly  doe  humbly  ])ray  the 
Lord  Proprietary  of  this  Province  to  take  order  for  the  setting  up  of  a  mint 
for  the  Coyning  of  money  within  this  Province,  And  Consent  that  it  may  be 
Enacted,  And  Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Lord  Proi)rietary,  with  the  Consent  of 
the  uj)per  and  lower  house  of  this  present] Genei'all  Assembly,  that  the  money 
soe  Coyned,  or  which  shall  be  coyned  in  the  said  mint,  shall  be  as  good  silver 
as  the  Currant  Coyne  of  English  sterling  money,  And  that  the  weight  of 
every  shilling  soe  coyned  as  aforesaid,  shall  weigh  above  nyne  pence  in  such 
silver  as  aforesaid,  and  soe  proportionably  for  other  ])eeccs  of  money  Coyned 
in  the  said  mint.  And  bee  it  further  Enacted  that  every  offence  of  Clij)ping, 
Counterfeiting,  scaling,  washing,  or  any  way  diminishing  any  Coyne  soe  to  l)ee 
made  within  this  Province,  or  of  wittingly  importing  into  this  Province  any 
Coyne  Counterfeiting  any  sort  of  Coyne  which  shall  be  made  in  the  said 
mint,  or  that  shall  be  by  the  Lord  Proprietaryes  Authority  and  the  .Vuthoi-ity 
of  this  present  Assembly  made  Currant,  shall  be  deemed  and  adjudged  Fellony, 
And  every  offender  thereof  convicted  according  to  the  Law  of  this  I'rovince, 
shall  suffer  payne  of  death  and  forfeite  his  or  her  lands,  goods  and  chatties 
within  this  Province,  to  the  Lord  Proprietary  and  his  heires.  Lords  and  Pro- 
lirictaryes  of  this  Province.  And  itt  is  further  Enacted  by  the  Autliority 
aforesaid  that  the  Lord  Proprietary  and  his  heires,  Lords  and  Proprietaryes 
of  this  Province,  shall  take  and  accept  the  said  Coyne  in  payment  for  his 
rent.  Arrears  of  Kent,  and  all  other  Engagements  due  unto  him  the  said  Lord 
Prcjprietary  and  liis  heires,  Lorils  and  I'roprietaryes  of  this  Province,  accord- 
ing to  this  Act."     The  foregoing  act  was  passed  May  1st,  IGGl. 


128  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

"These  proceedings  were  transmitted  to  the  ^proprietary  in  England;  npon 
the  receipt  of  which  he  prepared  to  send  to  the  colony  a  sufRcient  quantity 
of  coin  to  supply  its  wants.  The  main  object  was  now  to  throw  a  consid- 
erable amount  at  once  into  circulation;  and  to  this  end  the  aid  of  the  Assembly 
was  again  invoked." 

Bacon,  in  the  Laws  of  Maryland,  says,  referring  to  an  act  passed  April 
12th,  1G62,  "This  Act  was  to  put  the  Coin  (struck  under  the  Act  of  16G1, 
ch.  4,)  in  Circulation;  and  enacted  that  every  Householder  and  Freeman  in 
the  Province,  should  take  up  Ten  Shillings  per  Poll  of  the  said  Money,  for 
every  Taxable  under  their  Charge  and  Custody,  and  Pay  for  the  same  in 
good  Casked  Tobacco,  at  2d.  per  Pound,  to  be  paid  upon  Tender  of  the  said 
Sums  of  Money,  proportionably  for  every  such  respective  Family,  &c.  For  3 
Years,  &c." 

Of  the  last  mentioned  act  no  copy  can  now  be  found  in  the  Archives  at 
Annapolis. 

"  The  effect  of  this  measure  was  to  cause  a  forced  exchange  of  sixty 
pounds  of  tobacco  by  every  tithable  for  ten  shillings  of  the  new  coinage; 
and,  as  there  wei'e  at  least  five  thousand  tithables  then  in  the  province,  this 
act  alone,  if  it  were  carried  fully  into  eft'ect,  must  have  thrown  into  circulation 
coin  to  the  amount  of  twenty-five  hundred  pounds  sterling.  It  is  probable 
that  the  new  emission  proved  acceptable  to  the  people,  as  it  must  have  greatly 
facilitated  exchanges;  yet  it  by  no  means  superseded  tobacco  as  an  article  of 
currency.  That  still  continued  largely  in  use,  especially  in  important  trans- 
actions; and  many  of  the  public  dues  were  still  collected  in  tobacco,  and  not 
in  coin.  What  was  the  amount  of  this  new  currency  in  circulation  at  any  time 
after,  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining,  neither  do  we  know  when  it  began 
to  be  disused." 

Ogilby  states  in  his  work'  published  in  London,  in  1G71,  speaking  of 
Maryland,  that  "  The  general  w^ay  of  Traffick  and  Commerce  there  is  chiefiy 
by  Barter,  or  Exchange  of  one  Commodity  for  another;  yet  there  wants 
not,  besides  English  and  other  foraign  Coyns,  some  of  his  Lordships  own 
Coyn,  as  Groats,  Sixpences,  and  Shillings,  which  his  Lordship  at  his  own 
Charge  caus'd  to  be  Cdyn'd  and  dispers'd  throughout  that  Province ;  't  is 
equal  in  fineness  of  Silver  to  English  Sterling,  being  of  the  same  Standard, 
but  of  somewhat  less  weight,  and  hath  on  the  one  side  his  Lordships  Coat  of 

1  "  Description  of  the  New  World,"  p.  188. 


MARYLAND.  1 20 

Arms  stanip'd,  with  this  Motto  cii-fuinscrib\l,  (Jrescite  &  MuUijdicamun,  and 
on  the  otlier  side  his  Lordships  Effigies,  circumscrib'd  thus,  Ccecilius  Dominus 
Terroi-MaHce,  c&c." 

Oldmixon,  whose  work  was  published  in  1708,' says,  "  The  Lord  Proprie- 
tary had  a  Mint  here,  to  coin  Money,  but  it  never  was  nnioh  made  use  of." 
*  *  *  -"Tobacco  is  their  Meat,  Drink,  Cloathing,  and  Money:  Not  but  that 
they  have  both  Spanish  and  English  Money  pretty  plenty,  which  serves  only 
for  Pocket-Expences,  and  not  for  Trade,  Tobacco  being  the  Standard  of  that, 
as  well  with  the  Plantei's  and  others,  as  with  the  Merchants." 

"From  the  title  of  the  act  of  assembly  of  1001,  in  Bacon's  Laws  of  ]\Iary- 
land,  some  have  inferred  that  a  mint  was  established,  and  that  the  coinage 
was  actually  done  in  Maryland ;  but  it  ap])ears  more  probable  that  the  coins 
were  struck  in  England,  under  the  supei'vision  of  the  lord  proprietary,  and 
transmitted  to  the  governor,  as  circumstances  made  it  necessary  or  convenient. 
The  operation  was  a  profitable  one,  inasmuch  as  the  shilling  contained  but 
about  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  its  nominal  value  in  silver,  and  was  exchanged, 
in  the  first  instance,  for  tobacco  at  the  ordinary  price. 

"  Specimens  of  this  coinage,  so  interesting  in  the  commei-cial  and  pecuniaiy 
history  of  Maryland,  have  been  placed  in  the  cabinet  of  the  Maryland  Histor- 
ical Society,  through  the  liberality  of  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,  one 
of  its  honorary  members." 

The  fact  of  this  coinage  having  been  done  in  England  is  satisftictorily 
established  by  the  action  of  the  authorities,  as  recorded  in  the  orders  of  the 
Council  of  State^  in  England. 

"  Tuesday,  4  Octob"-,  l(J5i). 

"  Lil  liiiltimore       Upon  Information  given  by  Kichard  Pight,  Clerke  of  the 
t(i  !„•  aiiinchcn.lcd.     Irons  in  the  Mint,  that  Cicill  Lord    Baltamore  and  diverse 
others  with  him,  and  for  him,  have  made  and  transported  great  Sums  of  niony 
and  doe  still  goe  on  to  make  more, 

"Ordered,  That  a  warrant  be  issued  forth  to  the  said  Kichard  I'iglit  lor 
the  apprehending  of  the  Lord  Jialtamore  and  such  others  as  are  susi)ectcd  to 
be  ingaged  w"'  him  in  the  said  olfeuce,  and  for  the  seizeing  of  all  suih  moneys, 
stam|»s,  tooles,  «&  Instrum"*  for  Coyning  the  same  as  can  be  nu't  \v"',  and  tn 
Iji'nii;-  them  in  safe  Custody   to  the  (Jounsell." 


I  Vol.  i,  ]..  204.         3  Ibid,  ]..  206.         3St:itf  Pjipcrs,  I^ondon,  v..l.  rvii,  ]..  640. 


130 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 


"Wednesday,  5  Octob%  1659.' 

"Lil  Haltiiiioie  The  Coiincell    being-   Informed  that  a  great   quantity  of 

<"  atteiiil.  Silver  is  coyned  into  peeces  of  diverse   rates  &  values, 

and  sent  into  Maryland  by  the  Lo.  Baltamore  or  his  Order, 

"  Ordered,  that  the  said  Lo.  Baltamore  be  Sumoned  to  attend  the  Cofnittee 
of  the  Councell  for  Plantacons,  who  are  to  inquire  into  the  whole  business 
and  to  report  the  State  thereof  to  the  Councell." 

We  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  what  action,  if  any,  was  taken  upon 
these  orders. 

The  Maryland  Shilling  has  upon  the 

OBVERSE, 

Device  —  A.  bust  of  Lord  Baltimore,  to  left,  slightly  draped. 
Legend  —  c.?>:cilivs  :  D\^:Terk.e-mari/E  :  A-n-  -i- 
Mint  Mark  —  A  cross  patee  or  formee,  —  >:- 

REVERSE. 

Device  —  A  lozenged  shield,  surmounted  by  a  crown,  and  dividing  the 
numerals  x     ii 

Legend  —  crescite  :  et  :  mvltipmcamini  • 

I'latr  III,  X.>.  1,  aii.l  FiLT.  25. 


The  Sixpence  and  Groat  do  not  differ  from  the  Shilling  in  any  important 
particulars,  the  most  noticeable  variation  being  in  the  legends,  —  those  upon 
the  Sixpence  being  c^ciLivs  :  dns  :  terk.e-mari.e  :  &c.  ►:-  and  crescite  :  et  : 

MVLTIPLICAJVIINI 

[Hate  III,  N.I.  2,  an.I  Fig.  26.] 

Of  the  Groat  we  find  two  varieties.     That  most  frequently  met  with  has 


1  State  Papers,  LciikIhh,  vol.  evii,  [i.  (J53. 


MARYLAND.  131 

the  head  and  sliiekl  larger  than  the  other;  its  legends  are  cjecilivs  :  dns: 
TERU^-MARi.K.  ..tc  ►!<  and  CRESCiTE  :  ET  :  MVLTn^LiCAMCSTi  •  The  other  vai-iety 
is  extremely  rare;   its  legends   are   c^ciuvs :  d.n5:  terr^  mari/E  .  ifec  *   and 

CRESCITE  •    ET  •    MVLTIPLIOAMINI  • 

[Phite  III,  Nos.  3  aii.l  4.] 

The  numerals  npon  the  Sixpence  are  vr,  and  on  the  Groat,  iv.  The 
punctuation  marks  upon  the  reverses  of  both  the  Sixpence  and  Groats  are  so 
light  as  to  be  almost  imj^erceptible  upon  the  plate. 

The  device  upon  the  reverses  of  the  silver  coins  of  this  series  is  the 
family  coat-of-arms  of  Lord  Baltimore. 

The  shield  may  properly  be  described  as,  Paly  of  six  sable  and  argent, 
a  bend  counterchanged. 

In  the  collection  of  Dr.  Clay,  of  Manchester,  England,  was  an  impression 
in  copper,  from  Shilling  dies,  which  diflfered  slightly  from  any  we  have  seen 
in  silver,  the  colon  after  marine  being  omitted.  There  are  also  in  the  British 
Museum  impressions  in  copper  both  from  Shilling  and  Sixpenny  dies,  but  we 
have  no  knowledge  as  to  their  varieties. 

A  coinage  of  copper  seems  also  to  have  been  intended  by  Lord  Balti- 
more, although  we  find  no  recoi-d  referring  to  an  issue  of  copper  coin;  but, 
if  we  may  judge  from  the  fact  that  but  a  single  specimen  is  known  of  his 
coin  in  that  metal,  no  large  amount  of  it  could  have  been  i)ut  in  circulation. 


The  obverse  of  the  Penny  is  of  the  same  design,  and  very  similar  to  that 
of  the  Sixpence;  the  reverse  bears,  as  a  device,  a  ducal  coronet,  from  which 
fly  two  pennants;   its  legend  is  denarivm  :  TEKK.^<:-MARI.E  *     [Fig.  27.  \ 

Kev.  Henry  Christmas,  of  London,  says  of  this  })iece,  "The  Maryland 
Penny  was  successively  in  the  collections  of  Mr.  llodsol  and  of  Mr.  Martin; 
it  is  now  no  longer  in  this  country,  having  been  purchased  at  the  sale  of  the 
last-named  collection  foi-  the  large  sum  of  ,€75,  and  sent  to  America."  It  was 
in  the  cele!)rated  collection  of  J.  J.  Mickley,  Kscj.,  of  Philadelphia,  and  at  the 
sale  of  that  collection  was  purchased  at  $370  lor  an  unknown  buyer. 


132  THE   EARLY   COIXS   OF   AJfERICA. 

It  may  be  seen  that  in  the  copy,  [Plate  III,  Nos.  19  and  20,]  striking  errors 
appear  in  the  legend,  which  there  is  c^ciLivs  :  D.\s  :  terr^  mari^  :  &ct  * 

The  borders  of  all  these  coins  are  milled,  and  their  edges  plain ;  the  size 
of  the  Shilling  is  17;    the  Sixpence,  13 J;   the  Groat,  11,  and  the  Penny,  13. 

The  weight  of  those  in  silver  is  respectively,  (56,  34,  and  25  grains.  One 
specimen,  however,  of  the  Groat,  in  the  collection  of  the  writer,  is  npon  a  very 
thick  planchet,  and,  althongh  pierced  and  much  defaced,  bearing  evidence  of 
having  been  worn  as  an  amulet,  weighs  40  grains;  this  piece,  we  conclude, 
must  have  been  struck  as  a  trial  piece  in  testing  the  dies. 

Various  acts  for  regulating  the  coin  current  in  Maryland  were  passed 
and  repealed  between  1662  and  1694.  The  only  one  the  terms  of  which  are 
given  by  Bacon,  is  that  here  following,  which  was  passed  November  19th, 
1686,  and  entitled  "An  Act  for  the  Advancement  of  Coins." 

"  This  Act  sets  forth  in  the  Preamble,  the  great  Want  of  ready  Money, 
whereby  the  Trade  of  the  Province,  and  Settlement  of  Handicrafts  and  Trades- 
men therein  was  much  impeded,  and  enacts: 

"(].)  That  New  England  Shillings  and  Sixpences  shall  pass  as  Sterling, 
(viz.  at  the  Advance  of  3''  in  each  Shilling,)  French  Crowns,  Pieces  of  Eight, 
and  Rix  Dollars,  to  pass  at  6^  Ducatoons  at  7''  6'',  and  all  other  Coins  of  Silver 
or  Gold,  foreign  or  not  foreign,  (except  base  Coin,)  to  be  taken  and  received 
with  the  Advance  of  3**.  Sterling,  in  the  Value  of  12'^  Sterling. 

"  (2.)  All  such  Coins  so  advanced,  to  be  received  in  all  Payments  con- 
tracted for  in  ready  Money,  or  the  Persons  refusing  so  to  accept  thereof,  to 
lose  such  Debt,  never  to  be  recovered  in  any  Court,  &c. 

"  (3.)  Persons  exporting  such  Coins  so  advanced,  to  forfeit  the  same, 
Half  to  his  Lordship,  and  Half  to  the  Informer. 

"  (4.)  This  Act  not  to  aftect  his  Lordship's  Rents,  &c.,  nor  extend  to 
protested  Bills  of  Exchange. 

"  (5.)  Officers  Fees,  and  Ordinary  Keepers  Accommodations,  to  be  pay- 
able in  such  Coin  so  advanced,  at  the  rate  of  6s.  for  every  100  lb.  Tobacco, 
if  tendered  in  ready  Money:  otherwise  to  be  paid  in  Tobacco,  as  usual  before 
this  Act,  &c." 

The  last  act  was  "  To  endure  3  Years,  or  to  the  End  of  the  next  General 
Assembly,"  and  another,  with  the  same  limitations,  which  settled  the  rates  in 
the  same  manner  as  that,  was  passed  June  9th,  1692,  but  repealed  October 
18th,  1694. 


CANADA. 


Another  sei'ies  of  coins  struck  for  iise  in  America,  although  not  strictly 
included  in  our  original  plan,  seems  next  to  require  notice. 

These  were  coins  of  silver  and  copper,  issued  by  Louis  XIV.  of  France, 
in  1670,  for  circulation  in  Canada. 

We  ai-e  more  fortunate  in  the  existence  of  an  authentic  record  of  the 
authority  by  which  these  coins  were  issued,  than  in  the  preservation  of  the 
coins  themselves,  as  we  have  met  with  but  one  denomination  of  the  silver 
pieces,  that  of  five  sous,  of  which  we  have  seen  only  two  specimens,  and  these 
from  dies  very  slightly  differing.  For  the  opportunity  to  illustrate  it  wc  are 
indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  AVilliam  S.  Appleton. 

OBVERSE. 

Legend,  —  lvd  •  xiiii  •  d  •  g  ©     fk  •  kt  •  XAV  •  rex 

Device,  —  Bust  of  the  king,  to  right,  laureated.  Above  the  head,  a  small 
figure  of  the  sun. 

REVERSE. 

Legend,  —  (;i,()KiAM  •  kk<;xi  •  v  .  tvi  •  dicext  •  iiiTo  >"/ 
Following  the  date  is  an  unknown  character,  resembling  that  given  above. 
Device,  —  The    French    coat-of-arms,   crowned.     Beneath    the    shield    the 
Paris  mint  mark,  A  shown  in  the  line  of  the  legend,  inverted. 

Borders,  milled;    edge,  plain;    size,  I'.i;    weight,  35  grains. 

[I'laU'  III,  No.  5.J 


134  THE   EARLY    COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

Although  we  find  no  genuine  specimen  of  the  copper  coin  of  this  series, 
we  have  been  favored  by  M.  Jules  Marcou,  of  Cambridge,  with  a  copy  of 
one,  which  is  represented  on  Plate  III,  No.  6. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  large  Roman  L,  dividing  the  date,  16  70  Above  is  a  crown, 
and  beneath,  the  Pai-is  mint  mark,  A 

Legend,  —  LVDOvicvs  •  xim  •  d  •  gr  •  frajst  •   et  •  xav  •  rex 

REVERSE. 

Inscription,  in  four  lines, —     dovble     de  •  la     meriqve  •     frjVjj^coise 
Under  the  legend  is  the  mint   mark,  A  with   a   fleur  de  lis  at   each    side 
and  one  beneath  it. 

Borders  milled;    size,  14i. 

We  quote  from  The  American  Journal  of  Numismatics^  an  extract  relating 
to  these  coins: 

"'Colonial  Coins  of  Copper.  —  America.  —  Canada.  —  In  Le  Blanc's 
Historic  Treatise  on  the  Coins  of  France  it  is  mentioned,  on  p.  301,  that 
under  Louis  XIY.'s  government  were  struck  for  Canada  —  which  is  well 
known  to  have  once  belonged  to  Fi-ance,  and  not  to  have  been  ceded  to 
England  till  1763,  —  special  coins,  namely:  in  silver,  fifteen-sous  and  five-sous 
pieces,  recognizable  by  the  inscription,  gloriam  regni  tui  dicent;  and,  of 
pure  copper.  Doubles,  or  pieces  of  Two  Deniers,  which  bear  the  inscription 
DOUBLES  DE  l'amerique  francoise.  The  silver  pieces  are  of  the  year  1670, 
and  familiar.  Unknown,  on  the  contrary,  are  the  Doubles,  and  a  more  exact 
description  of  them  would  be  highly  interesting'. 

"  On  page  388  of  our  edition  of  Le  Blanc's  '  Traite  Historique  des  Mon- 
noyes  de  France,'  Paris,  1703,  we  read,  '  In  order  to  facilitate  commerce  in 
Canada,  the  king  caused  to  be  struck  a  hundred  thousand  livres'  worth  of 
Louis  of  15  sous,  and  5  sous,  and  Doubles  of  pure  copper.  These  coins  were 
of  the  same  value,  weight  and  fineness  with  those  of  France.  On  the  silver 
Louis  of  15  sous  and  5  sous,  in  place  of  Sit  noinen  Domini  henedictum,  there 
was  Gloriam  regni  tui  dicent;  and,  on  the  Doubles,  Doubles  de  VAmeriqite 
Francoise'  .^^ 

'  Vol.  iv.  p.  65. 


THE  "ST.  PATRICK  "OR  "MARK  MWBY"  HALFPENCE. 


Upon  the  19th  of  Novemher,  1G81,  there  arrived  in  New  Jersey  a  party 
of  emigrants  from  Dublin,  Ireland,  Mark  Xewby'  and  his  family  being  among 
them.  He  brought  with  him  a  quantity  of  the  pieces  known  as  St.  Patrick's 
half-pence,  which,  owing  to  the  scai-city  of  small  money  there,  were,  in  tlie 
ensuing  May,  made  current  in  that  State  under  certain  conditions  expressed 
in  the  act  by  which  they  were  authorized.  This  act  is  found  in  the  "  Grants, 
Concessions  and  Original  Constitutions  of  the  Province  of  New-Jersey,"^  under 
date  of  May  8th,  1G82,  and  is  as  follows: 

"Section  VI. 

"And  for  the  more  convenient  Payment  of  small  Sums, 
"Be  it  Enacted  by  Authority  aforesaid: 

"That  Mark  Newbie's  lialf-pence,  called  Patricks  half-pence,  shall,  from 
and  after  the  said  Eighteenth  Instant,  pass  for  half-pence  Current  pay  of  this 
Province,  provided  he,  the  said  Mark,  give  suflicient  Security  to  the  Speaker 
of  this  House,  for  the  use  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Time  to  Time  being, 
thaf  he  the  said  Mark,  his  Executors  and  Administrators,  shall  and  will  change 
the  said  half-pence  for  pay  Equivalent,  upon  demand:  and  provided  also,  that 
no  Person  or  Persons  be  hereby  obliged  to  take  more  than  five  Shillings  in 
one  Payment." 

The  date  and  origin  of  these  pieces  are  enveloped  in  mystery,  and  various 


i"Ne\vby  lived   on   llic   I'ariii   in   Xcwtoii    since  owned  hy  Jos.  B.  Cooper,  Esq.,  where  in:my 
of  tllC  Piltiick  liaU'iKiKe  liave  Incn  plonglicl  np."— .l/(V//t'»  Xew  Glouccitcr.         ''Vol.  iii,  p.  445. 


136  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

opinions  have  been  expressed  iipon  these  points,  which  we  will  briefly  mention, 
substantially  as  recorded  by  Dr.  Aquilla  Smith.' 

Evelyn  gave  the  first  published  account  of  them  in  1697,  thinking  them 
Irish  coins,  referring  probably  to  those  struck  in  silver,  as  he  described  them 
among  the  silver  medals  of  Charles  II. 

Thoresby  next  describes  them,  in  1715,  placing  them  among  the  coins  of 
Charles  II.,  and  he  presumes  that  those  in  copper  were  originally  current  for 
half-pence  and  farthings. 

Bishop  Nicholson,  in  1721,  placed  them  among  the  coins  of  Chai'les  I., 
stating  that  they  " '  are  still  common  in  Copper  and  Brass,'  and  '  are  current 
for  half-pence  and  farthings.' " 

Leake  makes  mention  of  them,  in  1726,  with  the  opinion  that  they  were 
struck  in  the  time  of  Charles  I.,  " '  by  the  Papists,  when  they  rebelled  in 
Ireland,  and  massacred  the  Protestants'  ". 

In  Harris's  edition  of  Sir  James  Ware's  Avorks,  1745,  they  are  noticed  as 
bearing  the  arms  of  the  city  of  Dublin,  and  are  assigned  to  the  time  of  Charles 
IT.  It  is  also  said  here,  "  Mohn  Putland,  Esq.,  has  among  his  curious  Collec- 
tions the  two  before-mentioned  Pieces  struck  in  Silver,  no  way  differing  but 
in  the  Metal,  and  that  they  are  milled,  which  Copper  Money  never  is;  and 
this  proves  that  they  were  struck  in  Silvei"  for  Medals,  as  Mr.  Evelin  thinks, 
and  not  as  Proof  Pieces.' " 

Simon,  1749,  considered  them  as  coins  of  the  rebels,  struck  about  the  year 
1642,  during  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  and  says  of  the  silver  pieces,  " '  it  is 
thought  that  they  were  struck  as  medals,  but  for  my  part  I  think  they  were 
struck  upon  the  same  occasion,  and  intended  by  the  Kilkenny  assembly  to 
pass  for  shillings.'  " 

It  is  noticeable  that  Simon  refers  to  but  one  size  in  silver,  while  Smith 
had  both  in  that  metal,  and  a  proof  in  lead  of  the  smaller  size.  One  of  the 
smaller  pieces,  somewhat  worn,  weighed  108  grains,  and  the  largei",  which  was 
in  the  same  condition,  weighed  176^  grains.  From  these  relative  weights  it 
is  difficult  to  decide  upon  their  intended  value,  if  designed  for  coins. 

Dr.  Robert  Cane  concludes  " '  That  it  was  minted  upon  the  Continent  for 
the  use  of  the  Confederate  Assembly,'  and  'was  transmitted  to  Kilkenny  to 
be  there  distributed.'"  He  proposed  to  call  it  the  "'Rinunccini  Confederate 
money,'"  as  it  "'is  in  some    parts  of  its  design  exceedingly  in  keeping  with 

iProc.  Kilkenny  &  S.  E.  Arch.  Soc,  1854.     See  Am.  Xumi.s.  Journal,  vol.  vii,  i)p.  9  and  25. 


"  ST.  PATRICK  "    Olt   "  MAKK    XP:\\^Y  "    HALFPENCE.  137 

the  opinions  and  sentiments  of  the  ]S^uncio,  Rinimccini.' "  Dr.  Cane  states  it  as 
decidedly  his  opinion  "  '  tliat  they  are  foreign  coins,  and  not  coined  in  these 
kingdoms,  but  brought  over  Ijy  Kinunccini,  for  the  use  of  the  Confederate 
army.' " 

Dr.  Smith,  after  summing  up  the  evidence  of  all  the  preceding,  conchides 
that  these  pieces  were  private  tokens,  and  "issued  in  Dubhn  at  some  time 
between  the  Restoration  (1G60)  and  the  year  1(380,  when  regal  copper  half- 
pence were  coined  for  Ireland." 

Not  presuming  to  "  decide  where  doctors  disagree,''  we  can  only  add,  that, 
judging  from  the  fact  that  Mark  Newby  brought  with  him,  in  1681,  a  quantity 
of  these  tokens  sufficient  to  call  for  an  act  to  legalize  their  currency,  it  would 
appear  that  they  must  have  been  at  that  time  of  a  comparatively  recent 
issue. 

The  great  number  of  varieties  existing  of  these  pieces,  indicates  tliat 
they  must  have  been  issued  in  considerable  quantities.  Of  the  large  pieces 
in  copper  we  find  four  obverse  and  six  reverse  dies. 

This  size  we  have  never  seen  in  silver. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  crowned   king,  kneeling,  facing   left,  and  playing  the  harp. 
Above  the  harp  is  a  crown  in  Ijrass. 
Legends,  variously  punctuated,  — 

•••FLORE   AT   REX-  --FLOREAT-  •*•   •  HEX  • 

•  FLOREAT  •   •  *  •   •  REX  •      ••  FLOREAT   •  *  •   :  REX  • 

The  letters  of  the  third  ol)verse  legend,  --floreat-  •*•  -rex-  are 
much  smaller  than  any  of  the  others. 

reverse. 

Device,  —  St.  Patrick,  with  a  trefoil  in  his  right  hand  and  a  crozier  in  lii-^ 
left,  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  peojile.  At  his  left  is  a  shield  charged  with 
three  castles,  on  some   resembling  six  flaming  altars. 

Legends,  — 

•  ECCE      OREX  2  ECCE  :    GREX  1 

•ECC'E-    GREX  2  :  ECCK  •    (;Ri;x  1 

[Plate  III,  Xos.  7  aii.l  S.  | 

The  figures  following  tin;  legends  indicate  the  nnmlx'r  of  dies  of  each 
variety. 


138  THE   EARLY   COINS    OP   AMERICA. 

Upon  the  smaller  size  we  find  twenty-two  dies  of  the  obverse,  and  twenty- 
three  of  the  reverse,  in  copper,  and  two  of  each  in  silver. 

The  obverse  of  this  piece  is  of  a  design  similar  to  that  of  the  larger, 
with  legends, — 

FLOEEAT   :  REX      1  ELOKEAT  *  :  REX  :      1 

FLOKEAT    REX  :     3  FLOREAT   :  REX  :  •     3 

FLOREAT   :  REX  :    13  FLOREAT  *  REX  *  *  *  *   1 

Upon  some  specimens  a  bird,  sometimes  Jir-companied  by  three  small 
circles,  is  found  beneath  the  figure  of  the  king. 

The  first  example  we  have  noticed  only  in  silver,  and  the  fifth  in  both 
silver  and  copper;    all  the  others  in  copper  only. 

Upon  the  reverse  is  St.  Patrick,  with  his  right  hand  outstretched,  as  if 
driving  away  the  serpents  and  reptiles  represented  beneath  it,  probably  alluding 
to  the  belief,  as  expressed  in  an  old  Irish  song,  that 

"He  gave  the  snakes  and  toads  a  twist, 
And  banished  all  the  varmint." 

In  his  left  hand  he  carries  a  double  or  metropolitan  cross,  and  at  the  extreme 
right  is  a  church. 

The  legends  of  the  reverse  vary  thus, — 

QVIESCAT      PLEBS  9 

QVIESCAT      PLEBS •  2 

QVIESCAT   •  PLEBS  .  1 

QVIESCAT    •  PLEBS  •  1 

QVIESCAT    : PLEBS  2 

Of  the  reverses  we  have  found  the  first  in  silver  and  copper,  the  third 
in  silver  only,  and  all  others  in  copjjer  only. 

[Plate  III,  No.  9.] 

Although  it  is  said  by  Sir  James  "Ware  that  the  silver  pieces  differ  from 
the  copper,  in  being  "  milled,  which  Copper  Money  never  is,"  it  is  necessary 
for  us  to  state  that  we  have  seen  none  in  either  metal  without  milled  edges. 

In  size  the  large  pieces  vary  from  17  to  20,  and  the  small  are  about  16. 

The  heaviest  specimens  we  have  weighed  of  the  large,  in  copper,  contain 
144  grains  ;  the  small  copper,  98  grains,  and  the  small  silver,  from  98  to  114 
grains. 


QVIESCAT 

PLEBS  : 

3 

QVIESCAT 

: PLEBS  : 

1 

QVIESCAT 

PLEBS  :  • 

2 

Q^^ESCAT 

: PLEBS  :  • 

1 

QVIESCAT* 

PLEBS  * 

1 

PROPOSALS    FOR    COINAGE. 


*  ■^*^- » 


The  scarcity  of  small  coin  in  America  at  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  and 
beginning  of  the  eighteenth  centuries,  induced  several  schemes,  ostensibly  for 
the  good  of  the  colonies,  but  actually  for  the  profit  of  the  projectors.  Of  the 
first  of  these  we  know  nothing  beyond  what  we  are  told  by  Ending,'  which 
is  this  : 

"  1700.  On  the  5th  of  July,  in  this  year,  the  Board  of  Trade  took  into 
consideration  the  state  of  the  coin  in  the  jjlantations.  A  memorial  by  Mr. 
John  Fysack  was  then  read,  proposing  the  erection  of  a  mint  in  some  of  the 
{)lantations  on  the  continent  of  America,  as  a  means  to  remedy  many  incon- 
veniences in  the  trade  of  those  parts.  And  he  being  further  heard  in  what 
he  had  to  offer,  their  lordships,  after  full  consideration  of  the  matter,  did  not 
think  fit  that  any  mint  should  be  erected  there.  But  esteeming  it  generally 
convenient  that  all  coins  current  in  the  plantations  should  pass  in  all  places 
at  one  and  the  same  rate,  they  resolved,  in  the  first  convenient  opportunity, 
to  consider  the  difficulties  that  occur  therein,  and  in  what  manner  it  may  be 
best  effected  ;    but  I  do  not  find  that  they  proceeded  any  further." 

Another  i)lan  was  soon  devised  for  supplying  the  want  of  small  change, 
as  shown  by  the  two  papers  which  follow.  These  were  found  b}'  a  search 
among  the  unarranged  papers  in  one  of  the  State  I'apor  Offices  in  London, 
and  include  all  known  to  us  in  relation  to  this  project,  which  probably  resulted 

'  Ami;ils  of  the  Coiii.ige  of  Great  Hril.iiii,  vol.  ii,  |i.  ,^9. 


140  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

in  nothing   at   that   time,  although   some  of  its   features   seem  to  have    been 
adopted  in  Wood's  patent,  a  few  years  later. 

The   first  of  these   papers  is  endorsed, 
"Proposalls  to  the  Lords  of  the  Ti-easury,  relating  to  the  Coining  of  small 

money  in  America. 
"Cock  Pit,  Treasury  Chambers,  21  May,  1701. 
"  from  Samuel  Davis  to  officers  of  ye  Mint." 

"  To  the  Eight  Hon'''^  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury. 

"  The  humble  proposall  of  Samuel  Davis. 
"  The  least  piece  of  Money  Coinonly  Current  in  the  Islands  and  Colonys  upon 
the  Continent  of  America  is  Seven  pense  halfe  penny,  being  an  8'  part  of  a 
piece  of  Eight,  which  puts  ye  Inhabitants  to  ye  necessity  of  Carrying  Sugar 
and  Tobacco  upon  their  Backs  to  bailer  for  little  Coinon  !N'ecessai'ys. 

"  This  Inconveniency  cannot  be  remedyed  by  Sending  such  farthings  and 
half  pence  as  are  used  in  England,  because  they  will  be  picked  up  and  sent 
back  for  Retiirns,  Especially  from  the  Continent,  where  Keturns  of  goods  often 
fall  Short,  and  30  p  Cent  will  be  got  by  sending  back  such  farthings  and 
half  pence,  the  value  of  English  money  being  so  much  more  than  the  value 
of  American  Money  upon  the  Continent. 

"  The  proper  remedy  is  to  Coin  halfe  pence  and  pence  of  Copper  or  a 
Mixed  Metall,  and  of  halfe  ye  value  the  English  Small  Money  is  made,  with 
severall  Mottoes  or  Devices  for  ye  Several  I  Colonys,  and  to  Order  them  to 
pass  only  in  the  respective  Colonys  for  which  they  shall  be  Appointed, 
viz.  one  Sort  for  all  the  Colonys  upon  the  Continent,  another  sort  for  the 
Island  of  Barbadoes,  a  3''  sort  for  Jamaica,  and  a  4'"  Sort  for  all  the  Leeward 
Islands. 

"  This  Method  will  keep  this  Money  within  the  i-espective  Colonys,  and 
otherwise  they  will  be  sent  from  the  Continent  to  ye  Islands,  and  hinder  the 
Exportation  of  the  Naturall  product  of  the  Continent  to  the  Islands. 

"  If  his  Majesty  will  please  to  order  the  Coining  such  half  pence  and  pence, 
and  to  enforce  the  passing  of  them  by  a  proclamation.  It  will  be  a  great 
accommodation  to  all  the  plantations,  and  be  a  grievance  to  no  body.  The 
Proposer  is  ready  to  shew  how  the  King  may  vent  them  presently  to  a  prolit 
that  shall  more  then  double  the  value  of  ye  Charge,  and  humbly  prays  a 
Third  part  of  the  profit  for  his  discovery. 

"All  which  is  most  humbly  submited  to  yo"^  LordP^" 


PROPOSALS    FOK    COLNAGE.  lil 

"To  the  Rt  Honorable  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  Ilis  Majesties  Treasury. 
"May  it  Please  your  Lordships 

"Li  Obedience  to  your  Lordships  order  of  Reference  Signified  to  us  by 
Mr  Lowndes,  21'*'^  May  Last,  upon  the  Proposall  of  Mr  Samuel  Davis  for 
coining  Small  Money  in  the  Plantations,  Wee  ai-e  humbly  of  Oinnion  that 
the  Plantations  in  America  are  in  great  Want  of  Small  Money,  but  that  the 
coynage  of  it  Should  be  made,  as  near  as  may  be,  to  the  intrinsick  value 
which  the  Metall  bears  in  the  Severall  Plantations,  including  the  charge  of 
Coynage;  and  that  such  Small  Money  be  made  of  Coarse  Copper,  Such  as 
the  halfpence  are  coyned  of  here,  that  there  may  be  less  temptation  to  coun- 
terfeit it.  And  that  the  quantity  necessary  to  be  coyned  be  settled.  As  also 
that  the  pieces  have  difterent  markes  upon  them  to  prevent  their  coming  back 
into  England  as  is  mentioned  In  tlie  said  Proposall. 

"All  which  is  humbly  Submitted  to  your  Lordships  gi'eat  Wisdom  l)y 

J  Stanley 
Is  Newton 
"Mint  Office  the  9">  July  1701."  Jn  Ellis. 

A  reference  to  another  scheme  of  this  kind  is  found  in  a  letter  to  the 
General  Court,  from  Jeremiah  Dummer,  who  writes  thus  from  Whitehall,  April 
5th,  1715: 

"  S'  My  last  to  you  for  the  General  Court  was  by  the  Solebay  Man-of- 
war,  which  I  hope  you  have  long  before  this  time.  In  the  mean  while  I 
have  receiv'd  the  three  instructions  agreed  on  the  last  October  Session,  wliich 
I  shall  carefully  observe.  Onely  that,  which  commands  me  to  oppose  any 
attempts  that  may  be  made  here  to  incorporate  a  private  Bank  in  New 
England,  is  what  there  will  probably  be  no  occasion  to  make  use  of.  For 
the  Gentlemen  who  have  bin  desir'd  from  Boston  to  Sollicit  this  bnisness, 
have  not  yet  mov'd  in  it,  &  I'm  infornrd  by  one  of  'em,  that  they  don't 
design  to  Stirr  in  it  at  all.  Some  other  jjcople  having  heard  of  it,  &  of  the 
Exigency  which  the  Countrey  was  reduc't  to  for  want  of  money,  or  some 
other  medium  of  trade,  have  started  a  ])r()ject  for  the  coining  base  money 
here,  (that  is  to  Say,  one  tliiid  copix  r,  and  the  rest  silver)  to  pass  in  New 
England,  which  they  pretend  will  answer  all  the  necessities  of  trade,  tho'  in 
truth  it  will  answer  nothing  but  their  own  private  gain,  which    they  jiropose 


'Aiclii\ cs,  vnl.  li,  |i|i.  'J.'i'i-i. 


142  THE    EARLY    COINS   OF    AMERICA. 

by  it.  Upon  the  first  notice  I  had  of  this  project,  I  waited  on  Several  of  the 
Ministry  in  order  to  speak  to  'em  of  the  destructive  consequences  of  it,  if  it 
Should  take  Effect,  but  their  Lord''^'  would  not  hear  me  upon  it;  for  they  were 
so  clear  in  it,  that  they  assur'd  me  at  once  that  no  such  thing  should  be 
done. 

*     4f-     *     *     *     *     *  Your  most  Obed'  ser' 

Mr  Secretary  Addington.  Jer:  Dummer." 

The  scheme  here  alluded  to  must  have  met  with  the  fate  of  its  prede- 
cessor, as  we  find  no  reference  to  it  elsewhei-e. 

AVe  find  in  Lyson's  Environs  of  London  this  notice  of  Sir  Alexander 
Cuming,  who  conceived  a  project  for  supplying  coin  for  l^ew  England  and 
Carolina,  from  England : 

"S"^  Alexander  Comyns,  Bar',  pensioner  in  the  Charter-house,  buried  Aug. 
28,  1775.  He  was  son  of  Alexander  Cuming,  of  Coulter,  created  a  baronet 
in  1695.  *  *  *  In  1729  he  was  induced  by  a  dream  of  Lady  Cuming's 
to  undertake  a  voyage  to  America,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  the  Cherokee 
nations.  He  left  England  on  the  13""  of  September,  and  arrived  at  Charles- 
Town  on  the  5th  of  December.  *  *  *  Sir  Alexander  says,  in  his  journal, 
that  whilst  he  was  in  America  in  1729  he  found  such  injudicious  notions  of 
liberty  prevail,  as  were  ineonsistant  with  any  kind  of  government,  particularly 
with  their  dependence  on  the  British  nation.  This  suggested  to  him  the  idea 
of  establishing  banks  in  each  of  the  provinces  dependent  on  the  British 
exchequer,  and  accountable  to  the  British  parliament,  as  the  only  means  of 
securing  the  dependency  of  the  colonies.  But  it  was  not  till  17-1:8  (as  it 
appears)  that  he  laid  his  plans  before  the  minister,  who  treated  him  as  a 
visionary  enthusiast,  which  his  journal  indeed  most  clearly  indicates  him  to 
have  been." 

We  have  obtained  fi-om  the  State  Paper  Office,  at  London,  a  copy  of  his 
proposal,  which  here  follows: 

"  To  the  Right  Hon.  Henry  Pelham,  Esq.  etc.      The  humble  Memorial  of  Sir 
Alexander  Cuming,  Bart.  July  11,  1748,  sheweth 

"  That  in  order  to  preserve  the  dependency  of  the  British  Plantations  on 
great  Bi'itain  their  Mother  Country,  as  being  their  natural  and  true  interest, 
and  as  being  the  surest  means  to  secure  their  rational  liberties  and  properties 
against  all  invaders  whatsoever,  it  is  humbly  proposed,  that  the  current  specie 
of  great  Britain  may  be  made  the  current  lawful    money  of  the  said  Planta- 


PROPOSALS   FOR   COIXAGE.  143 

tions,  as  the  proper  Measure  of  properly  in  all  countries    depending    on    the 
British  crown  and  nation. 

"It  is  also  humbly  proposed,  that  200,0001.  sterling  may  be  coined  at  the 
Tower  of  London  for  that  purpose,  to  be  lent  upon  good  and  sufficient  secur- 
ities in  the  said  ])rovinces,  at  the  present  legal  interest  there. 

"It  is  also  humbly  proposed,  that  the  said  sum  should  be  made  the  foun- 
dation of  a  provincial  bank  for  all  the  British  Plantations  in  America;  that 
the  said  bank  should  issue  out  bank  notes  to  the  value  of  the  said  sum,  and 
that  the  planters  should  be  obliged  to  pay  their  quit-rents  in  such  bank  notes 
as  are  authorized  by  the  British  Exchequer  for  the  said  purpose;  which  notes, 
being  payable  by  the  said  ])rovincial  bank  in  gold  and  silver  specie  on  demand, 
cannot  fall  under  any  discount  so  long  as  the  managers  act  agreeably  to  their 
several  trusts. 

"It  is  humbly  conceived,  that  this  regulation  is  requisite  to  abolish  the 
paper  money  in  New  England  and  Carolina,  and  for  setting  aside  the  currency 
of  the  dipt  Spanish  money  in  Jamaica  or  elsewhere.  And  as  altering  or 
debasing  the  lawful  money  of  this  kingdom  is  truly  high  treason,  and  as  the 
l)apcr  money  of  the  above-mentioned  provinces  does  really  alter  the  value  of 
what  ought  to  be  the  current  lawful  money  of  these  countries  as  subjects  to 
the  Crown  of  great  Britain,  so  these  regulations  would  remove  many  tempta- 
tions they  are  now  under  to  commit  high  treason." 

The  next  proposal  for  a  coinage  for  this  country  was  for  Carolina,  and 
i-egarding  this  proposition  all  we  can  learn  is  the  information  given  by  Snel- 
ling,  which  we  next  quote: 

"In  1754  a  projjosal  was  sent  over  here  I'or  approbation,  liom  Arthur 
Dobbs,  Esq.,  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  for  to  coin  copper  money  foi-  that 
colony,  to  consist  of  pieces  of  the  value  of  two-pence,  one  peiniy,  and  an  half 
penny  of  thcii'  cnrrency,  which  was  in  jiroportion  to  that  of  England  as  four 
to  three;  the  quantity  i)roposed  to  be  coined  to  be  such  as  the  Governor  and 
(Jouncil  of  Carolina  should  think  proper,  but  not  to  exceed  .TO  tons,  they 
delivering  the  co])pci"  into  tke  mint,  paying  all  expenses  and  fees  attending 
the  coinage,  and  to  have  such  a  device  on  them  as  should  be  thought  proper. 
Ills  letter  with  tiic  ])roposals  were  sent  down  Irom  the  Treasury,  June  24,  to 
the  officers  of  the  mint  to  consider  of  them,  and  give  their  ojjinion  on  the 
most  proper  method  to  i)ut  them  in  execution;  in  answer  to  which  it  was 
])roposed,  that  one  half  of  what  should  be  coined  should  be  in  halfpence  of 
such  a  size,  that  01   jjieces  was  to   make   1  lb  weight  avoir,  one  lourth  should 


144  THE   EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

consist  of  two  penny  pieces,  and  the  other  fourth  of  penny  pieces,  of  a  pro- 
portional weight  to  the  halfpence,  the  remedy  to  be  45  part  of  a  lb.  wt.  avoir- 
dupoize,  and  this  not  by  design,  but  accident;  to  perform  them  at  the  same 
price  as  those  for  Ireland,  five-pence  per  lb.  wt.  for  the  master,  and  20s.  per 
hiind.  to  the  deputy  comptroller;  the  proportion  as  to  the  number  of  each 
sort  to  be  kept,  as  an  increase  in  the  number  of  halfpence,  would  increase 
the  expence,  one  side  to  have  the  king's  effigies  with  georgius  ii.  rex.  on 
the  reverse  the  arms  of  !N^orth  Carolina,  inscribed,  sept  .  Carolina,  and  under 
it  the  date  of  the  year;  we  apprehend  it  rested  here,  and  was  never  put  in 
execution." 

"VVe  find  no  i-eference  to  a  coinage  for  Carolina  in  any  of  the  records, 
but  another  plan  seems  to  have  been  devised  for  a  supjjly  of  coin  for  that 
State,  if  a  paragraph  in  the  Massachusetts  Centinel,  of  October  18,  178(3,  may 
be  taken  as  evidence: 

"Charleston,  S.  C,  Sept.  29. 

"  Government  has  received  information  that  Mr.  Borel  has  compleated  his 
contract  of  coinage  for  this  State,  in  Switzerland,  and  may  be  soon  expected 
here  by  the  way  of  London.  The  stipulation  was  for  30,0001.  in  silver  and 
copper,  to  be  exchanged  for  the  paper  medium.'' 

If  this  contract  was  carried  into  eftect  the  results  thereof  have  entirely 
disappeared,  as  no  specimen  traceable  to  that  source  is  to  be  found  in  any  of 
our  cabinets. 


THE    ROSA    AMEEICANA    SERIES. 


The  various  plans  for  furnishing'  a  small  coinage  for  America  ajjpear  to 
have  culminated  in  the  project  of  AVilliam  Wood,  who  obtained  patents,  very 
-similar  in  their  terms,  for  coining  "tokens'"  for  America  and  Ireland,  both 
patents  bearing  the  same  date,  July  12,  1722.  That  for  Amei-ica  appears  to 
have  taken  precedence,  as  it  is  the  one  first  recorded  upon  the  Patent  Kolls, 
it  being  "Pat.  8,  Geo.  I.  part  4,  No.  1;"    that  ibr  Ireland,  "Part  5,  No.  5." 

It  is  said  that  George  I.  was,  upon  his  jouiney  from  Hamburg  to  Eng- 
land, previous  to  his  coronation,  accompanied  by  a  German  baroness,  a  fi-ail 
beauty,  who,  having  cai)tivated  (hat  monarch,  was  raised  to  the  peerage  and 
favored  with  sevei'al  titles,  among  which  that  of  the  "Duchess  of  Kendal" 
is  the  one  l^est  known  to  us.  She  possessed  unbounded  inHuence  over  tlic 
king,  and  as  lier  favor  was  esteemed  a  sure  means  of  gaining  his,  she  was 
induced  to  espouse  the  cause  of  Wood  in  his  application  for  the  gi-ant  of  iiis 
l)atents. 

CJoxe  states  that  "  tlie  einohinients  arising  from  the  disposal  of  tlie  patent 
for  sni)plying  Ireland  with  copjx'r  coin,  were  given  by  Sunderland  to  the 
duchess  of  Kendal,  who  sold  it  to  Wood."  We  have  no  information  as  to 
whether  the  same  disj)Osition  was  made  of  the  profits  of  tlu'  iiatcnt  loi-  Amer- 
ica, but  presume  both  to  have  been  procured  under  similar  circumstances. 

Four  |)atteru  i)ieces  of  nuich  interest,  in  oui'  estimation,  have  recently  for 
the  lirsl  time  been  brought  into  notice  in  this  country,  whicii  were,  in  all 
l)robability,  made  by  William  Wood,  in  oi-  about  tlie  yeai-  1717,  with  the  de- 


146  THE   EAKLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

sign  of  their  adoption  in  his  American  coinage.  These  are  in  a  mixed  metal, 
resembling  Wood's  metal,  having  a  head  of  George  I.,  with  legend  as  npon 
the  Rosa  Americanas,  —  the  letters  d.  g.  omitted  from  the  smaller  or  half- 
penny size. 

It  seems  not  unreasonable  to  believe  that  Wood  must  have  been  engaged 
in  experiments  in  coining  as  early  as  1717,  the  date  of  the  twopenny  piece, 
as  his  preparations  must  have  been  well  forwarded  at  the  time  his  patents 
were  granted,  or  he  would  hardly  have  been  able  to  strike  so  great  a  quantity 
of  his  coin  in  the  first  year  of  their  existence,  the  year  of  their  date  being 
already  half  expired  at  the  time  of  their  issue. 

It  appears  certain  that  these  were  patterns  for  his  coinage  for  America, 
as  they  bear  striking  points  of  agreement  with  the  design  ordered  by  the 
patent  for  that  coinage,  although,  as  will  be  seen,  this  order  was  not  final, 
but  was  followed  by  provisions  by  which  it  might  be  changed  or  a  different 
design  adopted;  while  they  bear  no  resemblance  either  in  weight,  composition, 
or  valuation,  to  any  known  coin  of  England  or  her  dependencies,  but  agree 
in  their  valuation  with  the  coins  proposed  for  America,  being  evidently  de- 
signed for  twopenny,  penny,  and  halfpenny  pieces. 

Snelling,  in  his  "Miscellaneous  Yiews,"  &c.,  in  his  remarks  upon  Wood's 
coinage,  says,  "  We  have  a  piece  much  like  the  penny  in  size,  struck  in  the 
same  metal,  the  head  also  nearly  the  same,  inscribed,  georgius  d.  g.  [m:  bki:] 
FRA.  ET  HiB.  REX.  and  ou  the  reverse  the  figure  I  crowned  between  two  laurel 
branches,  inscribed,  brun  et  lun  dux  sa  rom  mi  arc  the  et  pr.  elec."  He 
expresses  no  opinion  regarding  it,  but  evidently  considered  it  a  piece  belong- 
ing to  America,  and  the  production  of  William  Wood.  The  letters  in  brackets 
and  the  punctuation  marks  were  omitted  by  Snelling. 

In  the  style  of  their  workmanship  and  in  their  composition  these  patterns 
strongly  resemble  the  Rosa  Americana  series. 

The  head  of  the  king,  as  well  as  the  legend  upon  the  obverses  of  the 
larger  pieces,  is  nearly  the  same  with  that  upon  the  corresponding  Rosas,  and 
the  effigies  bear  so  strong  a  resemblance  to  those  of  that  series  as  to  leave 
no  room  for  doubt  that  they  were  the  work  of  the  same  artists. 

In  the  metal  of  which  they  are  composed  may  also  be  noticed  a  great 
similarity,  —  three  of  these  being  of  the  brassy  composition  frequently  found 
in  those;  the  other,  mostly  resembling  copper,  but  with  flecks  of  brass  scat- 
tered through  it,  —  a  peculiarity  met  with,  so  far  as  our  observation  extends, 
only  in  coins  of  the   Rosa  Americana  series. 


PLATE  III. 


THE    ROSA    AMERICANA    SERIES.  147 

Mr.  Bushnell  wrote  of  the  largest  of  these  pieces,  (the  others  being  then 
unknown  in  this  country,)  "  This  pattern  is  undoubtedly  one  of  Wood's,  and 
from  its  striking  similarity  to  the  Rosa  Americana  pieces,  there  is  every  reason 
to  suppose  it  to  be  a  rejected  pattern  for  an  American  coinage.  Besides  this, 
there  is  no  English  coin  to  which  it  bears  the  least  resemblance. 

"  The  Halfpenny  was  the  highest  denomination  of  the  copper  coinage 
issued  at  that  period  for  England;  but  as  Twopences  were  coined  for  America, 
in  brass,  and  as  the  pattern  in  question  is  of  the  same  metal  and  workman- 
ship, and  having  II  to  denote  its  value,  I  cannot  imagine  it  to  have  been  any 
thing  else  than  a  pattern  for  an  American  coin." 

The  largest  has  for  its  obverse  a  well-executed  laureated  head  of  George 
I.,  facing  right,  with  the  legend,  georgivs  -  D  :  g  m  :  b  :  fr  :  et  •  h  :  rkx. 
Reverse,  the  Roman  numerals  II  sui-mounted  by  a  crown,  above  which,  in  the 
circle  of  the  legend,  is  the  date,  1717  •  Legend,  mag  •  brit  •  era  •  et  •  hirer  • 
rex  :  <■  The  legend  is  between  two  plain  circles;  the  borders  are  milled,  as  are 
all  the  others.     Edge  plain;  size,  17i;  weight,  107  grains.     Plate  III,  No.  10. 

Two  of  the  smaller  size,  16^,  bear  obverses  alike,  having  a  head  of  the 
king,  as  in  the  preceding,  but  rather  larger,  and  the  legend,  georgivs  -d:  g: 
M  :  BRi  :  ERA  :  et  •  hib  :  rex  • 

Revei'se  No.  1.  The  Roman  numeral  I  surmounted  by  a  crown,  and 
encircled  by  the  legend,  dat  •  pacem  •  et  •  nouas  •  prebet  •  et  •  au(;et  • 
OPES-      Edge  plain;    size,  16^;    weight,  96  grains.     Plate  III,  No.  11. 

Reverse  No.  2.  Numeral,  crowned  as  in  the  last,  but  having  at  each  side 
a  branch,  the  stems  of  which  cross  below.  Legend,  brvn  :  et  •  i.vn  :  dvx  • 
SA  :  ROM  :  MI  :  ARC=TnK  :  et  •  pr  :  elec  •      Edge,  plain;  weight,  109  grains. 

The  last  is  that  described  by  Snelling.  It  is  singular  that  this  piece 
should  weigh  more  than  the  larger  one  of  double  its  value,  but  sucli  is  the 
case.     Plate  III,  No.  12. 

The  obverse  of  the  smallest,  size  13^,  has  the  head  of  the  king  to  right, 
with  the  legend,  (jeor(jivs  •  rex  • 

Reverse,  J  under  a  crown.  Legend,  -dat-  I'ackm  •  kt  •  auget-  opes  • 
Edge,  plain  ;    size,  13^  ;    weight,  72  grains.     Plate  Til,  No.  13. 

These  pieces  art;  all  ol'  tlie  highest  degree  of  rarity,,  no  duplicate  being 
known  of  either.  One  other  imj)rcssi()n  is  known  from  the  dies  of  that  having 
branches  upon  the  reverse,  but  it  is  in  the  composition  resembling  brass. 

This  set,  with  the  exception  of  the  piece  in  brass,  last  mentioned,  is  in 
the  collection  of  the  writer.     No  other  impression  is  known  in  any  metal. 


148  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

A  slight  digression  from  the  subject  of  this  chapter  is  necessary  hei'e, 
to  introduce  an  issue  of  parchment  money  for  small  change,  which,  although 
not  a  coinage,  approached  as  nearly  to  one  as  could  well  be  devised  in  that 
material,  and  shows  the  conditions  of  trade,  in  Massachusetts  at  least,  to  have 
been  such  as  would  favor  the  introduction  of  coin  of  the  denominations  pro- 
posed by  Wood. 

We  will  present  copies  of  the  records  *  to  relate  the  history  of  this 
parchment  money: 

June  15th,  1722.  "  In  Council  the  Board,  taking  into  Consideration  the 
Great  Inconvenience  arising  to  the  aifairs,  &  Trade  of  the  Province,  for  Want 
of  Small  Money  for  Change  (the  Copper  half  pence  being  Sent  out  of  the 
Province)  &  thereupon.  111  Minded  people  have  presumed  to  Splitt  or  tare, 
the  New  Small  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  Province,  not  withstanding  the  Procla- 
mation to  the  Contrary,  to  the  Great  dishonour  of  the  Government,  &  preju- 
dice of  the  Province:  Voted,  that  Penn  Townsend,  Thomas  Hutchinson  & 
Jonathan  Belcher  Esq"",  with  Such  as  the  Honb'?  House  of  Repi-esentatives 
shall  Appoint,  be  a  Committee,  to  think  of  &  report  to  this  Court  what  may 
be  proper  to  be  done  in  that  affair;  In  the  House  of  Representatives;  Read 
&  Concurred,  &  Voted  that  M-  Clarke,  M^  Tay  M-  Chambers  &  M^  Reming- 
ton, be  added  to  the  Committee." 

"  Committees  Report  for  makg.  Small  Bills."  ^ 
"  In  Obedience   to  the   Order  on  the  other  Side,  the  Committee  propose, 
that  there  be  printed,  in  Parchment,  to  the  Value  of  Five  hundred  pounds,  of 
the  Following  Denomination  Vizt. 

4ft_001         Penuy  Bills  -         -         -         -     £  166 :  1.3  :  5 

20—000         Two  penny  Bills  -         -         -         166  :  13 :  4 

13—333         Three  penny  Bills  -         -         -         166 :  13  :  3 


£  500  :  —  :  — 


"And  that  the  Said  Bills  be  delivered  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Province, 
by  him  to  be  Exchanged  for  other  Bills  of  this  Province,  to  Such  persons 
as  Come  for  the  Same,  but  not  less  at  One  Time  than  Twenty  Shillings,  and 
that  there  be  an  Act  pass,d  for  their-  Being  Accepted  by  the  Treasurer  and 
Receivers   Subordinate  to  him,  in  all  publick  payments,  as  other  the  Bills  of 

I  Court  Records,  vol.  xi,  p.  327  ;   2  Ibid,  vol.  xi,  p.  343. 


THE   ROSA   AMERICANA    SERIES. 


149 


this    Province    are,  and    that    the  Five   hundred  pounds  Exchanged  for  those 
Bills  be  burnt. 

"All  which  is  luinil)ly  Submitted. 
"June  2<)'.''  1722.         By  Order  of  the  connnittee. 

Penn  Townsend. 

"In  Council,  Kead  &  Accepted,  &  Ordered  that  the  Committee  appointed 
to  Consider  of  a  Kemedy  for  the  want  of  Small  Money  for  Change  be  desired 
to  take  Care  of  the  Making  &  Imprinting  the  Small  Bills,  agreeable  to  their 
Report,  and  that  they  prepare  the  draught  of  a  Bill  accordingly.  In  the 
House  of  Representatives  Read  and  Concurred. 

Consented  to,  Sam'.'  Shute." 

The  following  act  was  accordingly  passed  at  the  session  of  May,  1722  : 

"Chap.  V. 
"An  Act  for  Emitting   Five  Hundred   Pounds  in  Small  Bills  of  several  De- 
nominations, to  be  Exchanged  for  larger  Bills  by  the  Province  Treasurer. 

"  Whereas  great  Inconveniences  aiid  Difficulties  have  arisen  to  the  Affairs 
and  Trade  of  this  Province,  for  want  of  small  Money  for  change  : 

For  Remedy  whereof : 

"Be  it  Enacted  by  His  Excellency  the  Governour,  Council  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  General  Court  Assembled,  and  by  the  Authority  of  the  same, 
That  there  be  forthwith  Imprinted  on  Parchment,  the  sum  of  Five  Hundred 
Pounds  in  Pennies,  Two  Fences  and  Three  Fences  of  the  following  Figures 
and  Inscriptions:  viz.  Forty  Thousand  and  One  Pennies,  to  be  Round,  Twenty 
Thousand  Two  Fences,  Four  Square,  Thirteen  Thousand  Three  Hundred  and 
Thirty-three   [Three]   Fences,  Sex-angulai-. 


4,.t.444..ti-i"l-* 


*^A    One  pcnug.V 


j^S? 


^ 


:n<« 


Agiune-172  2    /^ 


^2a©  IpJcncc. 


i^ 


^^'^•x 


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l^roUincc  of 
tJ;e  a3afTacl)u 

fettg.junc  [7? 2 j. 


to-    3  tj 


t     ,M_PcjQce 


f?^ 


\  ^\ />? 


"And   that   the  Connnittee   already   appointed  by   this  Court    for  that   pur- 


150  THE    EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

pose,  are  hereby  Directed  and  Impowred  to  take  Effectual  Care  for  the 
Making  and  Imprinting  the  said  Bills;  and  that  the  said  Bills  be  delivered 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Province,  by  him  to  be  Exchanged  for  other  Bills 
of  this  Province,  to  such  persons  as  come  for  the  same;  but  not  less  than 
Twenty  Shillings  at  any  one  time;  and  that  the  said  Bills  be  Accepted  by 
the  Treasurer  and  Receivers  subordinate  to  him  in  all  Public  Payments,  as 
other  the  Bills  of  this  Province  are,  and  that  Five  Hundred  Pounds  in  Bills 
Exchanged  by  the  Treasurer  for  these  Bills,  shall  be  burnt  to  Ashes  by  a 
Committee  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

"And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid.  That  whosoever 
shall  presume  to  Forge,  Counterfeit  or  Utter  any  Bill  or  Bills  (knowing  the 
same  to  be  False  and  Counterfeit)  of  the  Figures  or  Inscriptions  of  those 
mentioned  in  this  Act,  or  any  ways  in  Imitation  thereof ;  oi'  that  shall  Counsel, 
Advise,  Procure  or  any  ways  Assist,  in  Forging,  Counterfeiting,  Imprinting 
or  Stamping  of  any  such  false  Bills  :  Every  person  and  persons  so  offending 
being  thereof  Convicted,  shall  be  Punished  for  the  first  Offence  as  in  Case  of 
Forgery,  and  for  the  second  Offence  as  those  that  Counterfeit  the  other  Bills 
of  this  Province." ' 

Illustrations  of  the  intended  bills  were  inserted  in  the  act,  in  place  of 
which  we  have  given  representations,  copied  from  the  bills  actually  issued. 
The  cuts  there  given  closely  resemble  these,  with  the  exception  of  the  orna- 
mental borders,  which  are  there  omitted.  We  have  supplied  the  word  "  Three", 
in  brackets,  it  being  evidently  an  omission  in  the  original. 

In  returning  to  our  subject,  that  which  first  claims  our  attention  is  the 
patent  granted  to  William  Wood,  Esq.,  for  coining  "  Tokens  *  *  *  to  go 
for  half  i^ence  pence  and  Two  pences,"  of  such  an  alloy  "that  a  mass  or 
peice  of  fine  metal  made  of  such  mixture  or  Composicon  and  weighing  Twenty 
ounces  Averdupoiz  doth  contain  one  penny  weight  Troy  of  fine  virgin  Silver 
flBfteen  Ounces  Averdupoiz  of  fine  Bi-ass,  and  the  Remainder  of  the  said  peice 
of  Twenty  ounces  Averdupoiz  is  made  of  the  said  double  refined  linck,  other- 
wise called  Tutanaigne  or  Spelter". 

We  have  obtained  copies  of  both  of  the  Patents  granted  to  Wood,  which 
are  still  preserved  in  the  State  Paper  Office  in  London  :  that  referring  to 
America  being  the  only  one  of  interest  in  this  connection,  we  next  present 
to  our  readers. 

1  Laws  of  Massachusetts,  vol.  i,  p.  299. 


THE    ROSA    AMEKICANA    SEHIES.  151 

Wm  Wood   )    This  Indenluro  made  the  day  of 

Ar'         /    in  the  year  of  the  Keign  of  our  Sovereign 

Grant  )  Lord  George  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  (xi-eat  Britain  ttVance  and 
Ireland  king  Defender  of  the  Ifaith  &c  Annoq  Dni  one  tliousand  seven  hun- 
dred twenty  two  Between  our  said  Sovereign  Lord  the  king  of  the  one  part 
and  WilHam  Wood  of  Wolverhampton  in  the  County  of  Stafford  Esquire  of 
the  other  part  Whereas  our  said  Sovereigne  lord  hath  received  Liforniation 
that  Within  his  Majesties  Islands  Dominions  and  Territories  in  America  there 
is  a  great  Want  of  small  money  for  making  small  payments  to  such  as  would 
voluntarily  accept  the  same  and  that  Retailers  and  others  do  suffer  by  reason 
of  such  Want  and  Whereas  the  said  William  Wood  hath  humbly  represented 
to  his  Majestic  that  he  the  said  William  Wood  hath  Invented  a  certain  Com- 
posicon  or  mixture  consisting  partly  of  fine  vii-gin  Silver  partly  of  superfine 
Brass  made  of  pure  Copper  and  partly  of  double  refined  linck  otherwise 
called  Tutanaigne  or  Spelter  so  that  a  mass  or  peice  of  fine  metal  made  of 
such  mixture  or  Composicon  and  weighing  Twenty  ounces  Avei'dupoiz  doth 
contain  one  penny  weight  Troy  of  fine  virgin  Silver  ffifteen  Ounces  Aver- 
dupoiz  of  fine  Brass  and  the  Kemainder  of  the  said  peice  of  Twenty  ounces 
Averdupoiz  is  made  of  the  said  double  refined  linck  otherwise  called  Tuta- 
naigne or  Spelter  A  Standard  peice  whereof  weighing  Twenty  Ounces  Aver- 
dupoiz hath  been  humbly  pi-esented  to  his  Majesty  by  the  said  William  Wood 
in  Order  to  be  delivered  to  the  Comptroller  or  king's  clerk  to  be  appointed 
as  hereinafter  menconed  for  trying  the  fine  metal  to  be  made  for  coynage  of 
such  moneys  hereinafter  prescribed  and  the  small  moneys  to  be  made  with 
the  same  metal  And  the  said  William  Wood  hath  humbly  proposed  to  his 
Majestic  vpon  the  Terms  and  Condicons  herein  after  expressed  to  make  small 
moneys  of  such  Composicon  or  Mixture  as  aforesaid  for  the  Service  of  his 
Majesties  Subjects  in  America  who  will  voluntarily  accept  the  same  as  afore- 
said Now  this  Indenture  Witnesseth  That  our  said  Sovereign  Lord  by  virtue 
of  his  Pi'erogative  Koyal  and  of  his  Speciall  Grace  certain  knowledge  ami 
meer  mocon  and  in  Consideracon  of  the  Rents  Covenants  and  agreements  hcri'- 
inafter  contained  and  expressed  on  the  part  and  behalfe  of  the  said  William 
Wood  his  Executors  Administratoi's  and  Assignes  to  be  paid  done  observed 
and  performed  hath  given  and  Granted  and  by  these  presents  for  himsclfe 
his  heirs  ami  Successors  Doth  (Jive  and  Grant  unto  the  said  William  Wood 
his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  l"ull  free  sole  and  absolute  powri' 
I'riviledge  lycence  and  Authoi-ity   'i'iiat  he  (he  said  William    Wood   his   M\ec- 


152  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

utors  Administrators  and  Assignee  by  himselfe  or  themselves  or  by  his  or 
their  Servants  Workmen  and  Assignes  (and  no  other  Person  or  Persons  what- 
soever) shall  and  may  from  time  to  time  during  the  Term  of  flfourteen  yeares 
to  be  reckoned  and  accounted  from  the  ffeast  of  the  Annunciacon  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-two  Coyne  or 
make  and  cause  to  be  Coyned  oi-  made  at  his  and  their  own  proper  Costs  and 
Charges  at  some  publick  and  convenient  Office  Within  his  Majesties  City  of 
London  or  the  Suburbs  of  the  same  or  such  other  place  as  shall  be  approved 
by  the  Coinissioners  of  his  Majesties  Treasury  or  high  Treasurer  for  the  time 
being  to  be  Provided  from  time  to  time  by  him  the  same  William  Wood  his 
Executors  Administrators  or  Assignes  any  Number  or  Quantity  of  Tokens  or 
peices  of  such  mixt  metal  or  Composicon  as  is  before  described  to  go  for  half 
pence  pence  and  Two  pences  and  to  be  from  time  to  time  after  the  coyning 
thereof  transported  or  carried  into  his  Majesties  Islands  Dominions  and  Ter- 
ritories in  America  or  some  of  them  and  may  be  uttered  or  dispersed  there 
and  not  elsewhere  Provided  allways  that  ever}'^  such  Office  for  Coyning  such 
halfpence  pence  and  Two  pences  (before  any  such  coyning  therein)  shall  be 
Notified  by  the  said  William  Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  or  Assigns 
in  the  London  Gazette  and  by  a  Writing  to  be  openly  affixed  vpon  the  Royal 
Exchange  in  London  Provided  also  that  the  Whole  Number  or  Quantity  to  be 
Coyned  by  virtue  of  such  his  Majesties  letters  Patent  do  not  exceed  in  the  said 
Whole  Term  the  Quantity  to  be  made  of  Three  hundred  Tunns  of  such  mixt 
metal  or  Composicon  as  before  described  Provided  likewise  that  the  Number 
or  Quantity  (part  of  the  said  whole  Quantity)  do  not  exceed  in  the  first  four 
years  of  the  said  Term  the  Quantity  to  be  made  of  Two  hundred  Tunns  of 
such  mixt  Metal  or  Composicon  as  aforesaid  and  do  not  exceed  for  any  one 
year  for  the  last  Ten  years  of  the  said  Term  the  Quantity  to  be  made  of  Ten 
Tons  of  the  said  mixt  Metal  or  ComposiSin  And  so  as  all  the  mixt  Metal  or 
Composicon  of  Which  the  said  half  pence  pence  and  two  pences  shall  be  made 
do  consist  of  such  Ingredients  and  in  such  Proportions  as  are  above  described 
and  so  as  all  the  said  halfpence  and  two  pences  be  of  such  size  and  bigness 
That  Twenty  ounces  Averdupoiz  Weight  of  such  mixt  Metal  or  Composicon 
shall  not  be  converted  into  more  half  pence  pence  or  two  pences  than  shall 
make  sixty  pence  by  tale  and  so  as  all  the  said  half  pence  Pence  and  Two 
pences  be  made  of  equal  Weight  in  themselves  or  as  near  thereunto  as  may  be 
being  allowed  a  Remedy  not  exceeding  one  penny  over  or  imder  in  each  Weight 
of  them   holding  Twenty  Ounces  Averdupoiz    And  so  as   the    said    Metal  or 


THE    ROSA    AMERICANA   SERIES.  153 

Composioon  for  making  the  said  half  pence  pence  and  Two  pences  be  from 
time  to  time  before  the  making  thereof  assayed  and  so  as  the  half  pence 
pence  and  Two  pences  be  made  therewith  from  time  to  time  before  the  uttering 
the  Coyned  half  pence  pence  and  Two  pences  from  such  Office  be  assayed 
and  tryed  for  their  Weight  and  ffineness  and  an  Account  be  taken  of  the 
Tale  in  the  manner  hereinafter  prescribed  And  that  he  the  said  William 
Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assigns  shall  and  may  at  his  and 
their  own  Wills  and  pleasures  from  time  to  time  during  the  said  Term  after 
the  said  half  pence  pence  and  two  pences  shall  have  been  so  assayed  and 
tryed  for  their  AVeight  and  fiifiieness  and  an  Account  taken  of  their  Tale  as 
aforesaid  Transpoil  and  Convey  or  cause  the  same  to  be  transported  and 
Conveyed  unto  the  said  Islands  Dominions  or  Territories  belonging  or  to 
belong  to  his  Majestic  his  heirs  or  successors  in  America  or  any  of  them 
and  shall  and  may  utter  and  dispei'se  them  to  his  and  their  best  advantage 
and  profit  to  pass  and  be  received  as  Current  money  by  such  as  shall  be 
Willing  to  receive  the  same  AVlthin  the  said  Islands  Dominions  and  Territo- 
ries or  any  of  them  and  not  elsewhere  And  the  said  William  Wood  for 
himselfe  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  doth  Covenant  promise 
and  Grant  to  and  with  our  said  Sovereign  lord  his  heires  and  Successors 
by  these  presents  That  he  the  said  William  AVood  his  Executors  Adminis- 
ti-ators  and  Assignes  shall  and  will  make  the  said  half  pence  pence  and 
Two  pences  of  such  fine  Metal  or  Composicon  as  aforesaid  AN'hcn  the  same 
shall  be  cast  into  Barrs  or  Ifillets  and  which  when  heated  red  hot  will  spread 
thin  under  the  hammer  without  Cracking  and  shall  and  will  out  of  the  same 
Coyn  the  said  Two  pences  pence  and  half  pence  of  such  a  bigness  that 
thirty  Two  pences  sixty  pence  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  half  pence  may 
weigh  sixteen  ounces  AVcrduj^oiz  being  allowed  a  Kemedy  as  aforesaid  and 
shall  and  will  when  any  Quantity  of  such  money  shall  be  Coyned  permit  and 
suiler  such  person  or  persons  as  the  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury  of  his 
Maisty  his  heires  and  Successors  for  the  lime  being  shall  in  Writing  under 
their  or  his  hands  or  hand  from  time  to  time  or  at  any  lime  or  times  Con- 
stitute and  apj)oint  to  mix  the  same  in  an  heap  and  to  assay  the  same  by 
Counting  out  Thirty  Two  pences  Sixty  pence  or  One  hundred  and  Twenty 
half  pence  and  there  by  to  Estimate  the  value  of  the  whole  heap  and  of 
every  part  thereof  according  to  its  Weight  and  shall  and  will  i)ermit  and 
suft'er  such  person  or  persons  to  l)e  appointed  to  assay  such  half  pence  and 
Two  pences  in   fineness    by  taking    some    peices  of    the    money   heating    lluin 


154  THE    EAKLY    COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

red  hot  and  battering  them  to  see  if  they  will  spread  thin  under  the  hammer 
and  shall  and  will  permit  and  suffer  such  Person  or  Persons  as  the  said 
Commissioners  of  the  Treasury  o-r  the  high  Treasurer  for  the  time  being 
shall  by  any  Warrant  or  Warrants  from  time  to  time  constitute  and  appoint 
to  see  the  said  mixed  Metal  or  Composicon  in  Barrs  or  ffillets  for  making 
the  said  money  from  time  to  time  and  to  keep  an  Account  of  the  severall 
Parcels  thereof  and  shall  and  will  permit  and  suffer  such  Person  or  Persons 
to  see  the  Assays  performed  and  the  money  Weighed  and  to  take  one  or 
more  peices  out  of  every  parcell  of  money  assayed  to  be  kept  in  a  Box 
under  his  or  their  key  and  a  key  of  the  said  William  Wood  his  Executors 
Administrators  and  Assignes  to  be  tryed  annually  in  Weight  and  fineness 
before  whom  the  said  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury  or  the  high  Treasurer 
for  the  time  being  shall  appoint  And  it  is  hereby  declared  and  agreed  that 
the  Person  or  Persons  to  be  appointed  as  aflbresaid  for  assaying  or  trying 
the  said  mixt  metal  or  Composicon  and  the  small  moneys  to  be  made  thereof 
and  taking  the  Tale  of  such  monies  shall  be  and  be  called  the  king's  Clerk 
and  Comjjtroller  of  the  Coynage  of  the  halfe  pence  pence  and  two  pences 
to  be  Coyned  for  the  Service  of  the  Islands  Dominions  and  Territories  be- 
longing or  to  belong  to  his  Majestic  his  heirs  or  Successors  in  America  and 
may  be  impowered  to  Execute  such  Trust  by  himself  or  themselves  his  or 
their  sufficient  Deputy  or  Deputies  from  time  to  time  And  the  said  William 
Wood  for  himselfe  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  Doth  hereby 
Covenant  and  agree  at  his  and  their  own  proper  Costs  and  Charges  to  allow 
and  pay  to  such  Comptroller  for  the  time  being  a  Salary  after  the  rate  of 
Two  hundred  jjounds  per  Annum  to  be  paid  Quarterly  at  the  four  usual 
ffeasts  in  the  year  by  equal  porcons  during  his  continuance  in  the  said  Trust 
and  to  be  Computed  and  paid  by  the  day  for  any  broken  pai't  of  a  Quarter 
in  Which  such  Deputy  or  Deputies  shall  execute  the  same  Trust  Provided 
nevertheless  That  in  Case  the  said  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury  or  the 
high  Treasurer  for  the  time  being  shall  not  constitute  and  appoint  a  Person 
or  Persons  to  Assay  and  take  Account  of  the  said  mixt  Metal  or  Composicon 
or  of  the  small  monies  to  be  made  therewith  as  aforesaid  or  in  case  of  the 
Death  of  such  Person  or  Persons  that  shall  be  appointed  The  said  William 
Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  or  Assignes  shall  not  be  molested  hin- 
dered or  deprived  of  the  benefit  of  making  and  coyning  the  said  half  pence 
and  Two  pences  but  shall  and  may  proceed  therein  in  manner  aforemenconed 
So  as  the  said  William  Wood   his  Executors  Administrators  or  Assignes  or 


THE   ROSA   AMERICANA    SERIES.  155 

his  or  their  Agent  or  Agents  make  Oath  if  required  of  the  Quantity  and 
Goodness  of  the  said  halfe  pence  ])ence  and  Two  jjcnces  and  of  the  Metal 
or  Composicon  whereof  the  same  shall  have  been  made  And  it  is  his  Majes- 
ties will  and  pleasure  And  he  doth  by  these  presents  for  himselfe  his  heires 
and  Successors  Grant  and  Authorize  and  appoint  That  the  said  halfe  pence 
pence  and  Two  pences  of  such  mixt  metal  or  Composicon  as  aforesaid  shall 
and  may  be  made  and  Coyned  with  Engines  or  Instruments  having  on  tlie 
one  side  the  Effigies  or  Portraiture  With  the  name  or  Title  of  his  Majestic 
his  heires  or  Successors  and  on  the  other  side  the  ffigure  of  a  Crown  AVith 
the  Word  America  and  the  year  of  our  lord  and  any  other  marks  or  Addi- 
ffins  as  may  be  proper  or  the  said  Engines  or  Instruments  for  Coyning  the 
said  half  pence  pence  and  Two  pences  may  have  any  other  Inscripcons  as 
by  any  AVarrant  or  AVarrants  to  be  obtained  under  the  Royal  Sign  Maiuial 
of  his  Majestic  his  heirs  or  Successors  shall  be  allowed  and  approved  And 
that  the  said  half  pence  and  Two  pences  being  made  and  coyned  as  afore- 
said shall  pass  and  be  Generally  vsed  between  Man  and  Man  or  between  any 
persons  that  shall  and  will  voluntarily  and  willingly  and  not  otherwise  pay 
and  receive  the  same  as  Tokens  or  peices  of  and  for  the  respective  values 
of  half  pence  pence  and  Two  pences  of  money  of  Great  Britain  AVith  the 
customary  allowance  for  Exchange  within  the  said  Islands  Dominions  and 
Territories  belonging  or  to  Ijclong  to  his  Majestic  his  heires  or  Successors 
in  America  or  any  of  them  and  not  elsewhere  And  to  the  intent  the  said 
AVilliam  AVood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  may  have  and 
obtain  the  full  benefit  and  profit  intended  vnto  him  and  them  by  this  present 
Grant  his  Majestic  doth  by  these  presents  for  himselfe  his  heires  and  Suc- 
cessors strictly  prohibit  and  fbrl)id  all  and  every  person  and  persons  AVhat- 
soever  (other  than  the  said  AVilliam  AVood  his  Executors  Administi'ators  and 
Assignes  and  his  and  their  Servants  Workmen  and  Assignes  before  menconed) 
to  make  Coyne  or  Counterfeit  such  half  pence  Pence  or  Two  pences  of  such 
mixt  Metal  or  Composicon  as  aforesaid  or  of  any  other  Metal  or  Composicon 
AVhatsoever  or  to  make  or  vse  any  Engines  or  Instruments  lor  the  making 
of  any  Two  pences  Pence  or  halfe  pence  to  pass  or  go  within  his  Majesties 
said  Islands  Dominions  and  Territories  or  any  of  them  or  to  Inipoit  or  bring 
into  the  said  Islands  Dominions  or  Territories  or  any  of  them  from  any  his 
Majesties  Dominions  or  from  any  ftbreign  parts  to  be  vttered  vended  or  dis- 
persed ill  the  said  Island  Dominions  and  Territories  or  any  ol"  llicm  any  Two 
pences    Pence    or  half  pence  or  any  Engines  or  Insti'innents    lor    making   of 


156  THE   EARLY   COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

the  same  at  any  time  oi-  times  during  the  said  Term  of  fourteen  yeares  vndor 
pain  of  incurring  his  Majesties  Displeasure  and  such  Corporal  Pecuniary  or 
other  Punishments  as  by  law  may  be  inflicted  upon  any  such  Person  or 
Persons  in  such  Case  or  Cases  Offending  And  his  Majestie  doth  by  these 
presents  for  himselfe  his  heires  and  Successors  Give  and  Grant  unto  the  said 
William  Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  full  power  and 
Authority  so  fiir  as  his  Majestie  can  lawfully  Grant  That  the  said  William 
Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  or  Assignes  by  himselfe  or  themselves 
or  by  his  or  their  Deputy  or  Deputies  for  Whom  he  or  they  will  be  Answer- 
able from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  during  the  said  Term  Granted  (taking 
a  Constable  or  other  Officer  to  his  or  their  Assistance)  and  in  the  Day  time 
shall  or  may  enter  into  any  Ship  vessell  house  or  other  jilace  Within  the  said 
Islands  Dominions  and  Territories  belonging  or  to  belong  to  his  Majestie  his 
heires  or  Successors  in  America  Where  he  or  they  may  reasonably  suspect 
that  any  Counterfeit  half  pence  pence  or  Two  pences  are  or  shall  be  made 
or  are  or  shall  be  brought  or  imported  from  any  other  of  his  Majesties  Do- 
minions or  from  any  fforeign  parts  and  by  all  lawfuU  Ways  and  means  to 
search  for  the  same  and  vpon  finding  of  any  such  Counterfeit  half  pence  pence 
or  Two  pences  or  any  Tools  or  Instruments  for  making  thereof  to  Arrest  seize 
carry  away  detain  and  keep  such  Counterfeit  half  pence  Pence  and  Two  pences 
Instruments  and  Tools  to  the  proper  vse  and  behoofe  of  him  the  said  William 
Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  Without  any  Account  to 
be  therefore  rendered  to  his  Majestie  his  heires  or  Successors  for  the  same 
To  have  hold  Exercise  and  Enjoy  all  and  Singular  the  aforesaid  Powers  lib- 
erties priviledges  lycences  Grants  Authorities  and  other  the  premisses  vnto  the 
said  William  Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  from  the  ffeast 
of  the  Aunixnciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
Twenty  two  unto  the  full  end  and  Term  of  fourteen  yeares  from  thence  next 
Ensueing  and  fully  to  be  comjjleat  and  ended  yeilding  and  paying  therefore 
And  tlie  said  William  Wood  for  himself  his  Executors  Administrators  and 
Assignes  doth  hereby  Covenant  jiromise  and  Grant  to  and  with  his  Majestie 
his  heires  and  Successors  at  the  Receipt  of  the  Exchequer  of  his  Majestie  his 
heires  and  Successors  the  yearly  Rent  or  Sunie  of  one  hundred  pounds  (over 
and  above  the  Comptrollers  Salary  before  menconed)  at  two  of  the  most  usual 
ifeasts  or  days  of  payment  in  the  year  that  is  to  say  at  the  ffeast  of  St.  Michael 
the  Archangel  and  the  Annunciacon  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  by  even  and 
equal  Porcons  The  first  payment  thereof  to  begin   and  be  made  at  the  fteast 


THE   ROSA   AMERICANA    SERIES.  157 

of  Saint  Michael  the  Archangel  next  ensueing  the  date  hereof  Provided  always 
and   these    presents   are   and  shall  be  vpou  this  express  Condicon    That  if  it 
shall  happen  that  the  said  yearly  Rent  or  Suine  of  one  hundred  pounds  to  be 
behind  and  vnpaid  in  part  or  in  the  Whole  by  the  space  of  Thirty  days  after 
any  of  the  said  ffeasts  or  Days  of  payment  on  Avhich  the  same  ought  to  be 
paid  as  aforesaid  That  then  and  from  thenceforth  it  shall  and  may  be  lawfull 
to  and    for  his   Majestic  his  heires   and   Successors  by  any  Instrument  vnder 
his  or  their  Royall  Signe  Manual  to  revoke  determine   and    make  void    these 
presents  and  all  and  every  the  Powers  benefits  and  Advantages  thereby  Granted 
to  the  said  AYilliam  Wood   his    Executors  Administrators    and  Assignes    any 
thing    therein    contained    to   the    contrary    notwithstanding     And    further   his 
Majestic  for  the  Consideracons   aforesaid   hath  Given   and   Granted   And   by 
these  presents  for  himself  his  heires  and  Successors  of  his  more  Special  Grace 
certain  knowledge  and  nicer  mocon  Doth  Give  and  Grant  vnto  the  said  William 
AVood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  all  such  Profit  Gains  benefit 
Benefits    Emoluments    and   Advantages  as  shall    from    time  to  time  be  made 
gotten  obtained  or  raised  by  the  making  Issuing  uttering  or  vending  of  the 
said  half  pence  Pence  and  Two  pences  which  during  the  said  Term  of  four- 
teen years  are  hereby  authorized  to  be  made  transpoited  vttered  vended  and 
dispersed  as  aforesaid    The    same  to  be  had  taken   and   received  by  him   the 
said  William  Wood    his    Executors  Administrators    and  Assignes    to  his    and 
their  only  vse  and  behoof  Without  any  account  or  other  matter  or  thing  (other 
than  the  said  yearly  Suine  of  one  hundred    pounds  to  be  therefore    rendered 
to  his  Majesty  his  heires  or  Successors  and  other  than  the  said  Salary  to  be 
paid  to  the  said  Comptroller  as  aforesaid)    And  the  said  William  Wood    for 
himself  his   Executors  Administrators   and  Assignes   doth  Covenant   promise 
and  Grant  to  and  with  his  Majestic  his  heires  and  Successors  by  these  presents 
Tiiat  he  the  said   William   Wood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes 
shall  and  will  at  his  and  their  own  proper  Costs  and  Charges   from   time  to 
time  during  the  said  Term  in  jjursuance  of  the  Powers  Granted  to  him  and 
them  as  aforesaid  make  and  Coyn  or  Cause  to  be  made  and  Coyned  and  Trans- 
ported into  the  said  Islands  Dominions  and  Territories  belonging  or  to  belong 
to  his  Majestic  his  heires  or  Successors  in  America  or  some  of  them  and  to 
be  vttered  and  vended  there  as  aforesaid  at  or  under  the  respective  values  as 
aforesaid  such  and  so  many  Two  pences  pence  and  half  pence  of  such  mixt 
metal  or  Composicon  as  aforesaid  of  the  goodness  and  bigness  and  dI'  the  Ibnn 
before    menconed  as  shall    be    sufiicicnt    lor  the  use   and    accoiTiodacon  of  the 


158  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

Subiects  of  his  Majestic  his  heires  and  Successors  in  those  parts  in  and  for 
the  Change  of  their  small  moneys  and  in  relacon  as  their  retailing  Trade  and 
other  Coineree  and  business  in  Which  the  Subiects  of  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain  there  shall  or  may  have  occasion  to  vse  them  But  not  to  exceed  in 
any  one  year  the  Quantities  before  menconed  And  further  That  the  said 
William  A¥ood  his  Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  shall  and  will  from 
time  to  time  in  the  making  the  mal-ing  the  said  Two  pences  Pence  and  half 
pence  in  England  and  in  Transporting  the  same  from  time  to  time  to  the  said 
Islands  Dominions  or  Territories  in  America  or  any  of  them  and  in  vttering 
vending  disposeing  or  dispersing  the  same  there  and  in  all  his  and  their  Doings 
Accounts  concerning  the  same  submit  himselfe  and  themselves  to  the  Inspeccon 
Examinacon  Order  and  ComptroU  of  his  Majestic  his  heires  and  Successors 
and  of  his  and  their  Coinissioners  of  the  Treasury  and  high  Treasurer  for  the 
time  being  and  of  such  Person  or  Persons  as  shall  be  appointed  as  afore  said 
And  our  said  Sovereign  lord  for  himselfe  his  heires  and  Successors  doth 
hereby  Covenant  promise  and  Grant  to  and  with  the  said  William  Wood  his 
Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  That  he  the  said  William  Wood  his 
Executors  Administrators  and  Assignes  jiaying  the  Rent  and  performing  the 
Covenants  herein  reserved  and  contained  on  his  and  their  part  and  behalf  to 
be  paid  done  and  performed  shall  and  may  peaceably  and  quietly  have  hold 
and  enioy  all  the  Powers  Authorities  Priviledges  lycences  Profits  and  Advan- 
tages and  all  other  matters  and  things  hereby  Granted  and  every  part  thereof 
for  and  during  the  said  term  of  fourteen  years  Without  any  let  Suit  Trouble 
Molestacon  or  Denyal  of  his  Majesty  his  heires  or  Successors  or  of  or  by 
any  of  his  Majesties  or  their  Officers  or  Ministers  or  any  Person  or  Persons 
Claiming  or  to  Claim  any  lawful  Power  or  Right  by  from  or  under  his  Ma- 
jesty his  heires  or  Successors  Provided  always  that  if  the  said  William  Wood 
within  six  Months  after  the  making  hereof  Doth  not  give  good  and  sufficient 
Security  to  his  Majestic  his  heires  or  Successors  for  the  payment  of  the  said 
yearly  Rent  hereby  reserved  and  for  the  performance  of  all  the  Covenants 
Clauses  and  Agreements  herein  contained  on  his  and  their  parts  and  behoof 
to  be  done  and  performed  (Which  Security  is  to  be  such  as  the  Coinissioners 
of  the  Treasury  or  any  three  or  more  of  them  or  the  high  Treasurer  for  the 
time  being  of  his  Majestic  his  heires  or  Successors  shall  approve  Then  all 
and  every  the  Grants  hereby  made  to  the  said  William  Wood  his  Executors 
Administrators  and  Assigns  shall  cease  determine  and  be  vtterly  void  any 
thing  herein  contained  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding     And  his  Maiestie  doth 


THE    ROSA    AMERICANA    SERIES.  159 

hereby  for  himselfe  his  heires  and  Successors  Will  Require  and  Covenant  All 

and  every  the  Governours  I)e})uty  Governours  and  all  the  Persons  AV^ho  are 

or  shall  be  entrusted  AVitli  the  Care  or  Adininistrawu  of  the  Government  in 

all  and  every  or  any  of  the  said  Islands  Dominions  or  Territories  belono^ino: 

or  to  belong    to    his    Maiesties    his    heires   or  Successors   in  Amei-icu    and    all 

Judires  Justices  and  other  Officers  and  Ministers  Whatsoever  of  his  Maiestie 

his  heires  or  Successors  in  Great   Britain    or  in  the   said    Islands    Dominions 

or  Territories  in  America  or  elsewhere  to  be  aiding  and  assisting  to  the  said 

William  Wood  his  Executors  and  Assignes  in  the  Execucon  of  all  or  any  of 

the  Powers  Authorities  Direccons  matters  and  things  to  be  executed  by  him 

or  them  or  for  his  or  their  benefit  and  Advantage  by  virtue  or  in  Pursuance 

of  these  presents  in  all  things  as  becometh  In  Witness  &c  whereof  our  selfe 

at  Westminster  the  Twelth  day  of  July. 

By  Writt  of  Privy  Seal ". 

In  addition  to  the  patent  we  find  a  paper  entitled 

"M'  Wood       Lycence. 

"A  Lycence  unto  William  Wood  of  Wolverham[)ton  in  the  county  of 
Stafford  Escf"  his  Ext"'"  Adm"  and  Assigns  to  Coyn  or  make  at  his  and  their 
own  propper  Costs  and  charges  at  Some  Publick  Office  within  the  City  of 
London  or  Suberbs  thereof  or  such  other  place  as  shall  be  approved  by  his 
Maj'"'"  Coinissioncrs  of  the  Treasury  or  High  Trcarer  for  the  time  being 
to  be  provided  from  time  to  time  by  the  Said  William  Wood  his  Ext"  Adm"* 
or  Assigns  any  Number  or  Quantity  of  Tokens  or  Pieces  of  a  certain  Mixt 
Metall  or  Composition  as  in  the  Bill  Described  to  go  lor  lialfe-pence,  Pence, 
and  Two  pences  to  ])e  from  time  to  time  after  the  Coyning  thereof  Trans- 
ported or  Carryed  into  His  Maj^'"'  Islands  Dominions  and  Territories  in  Ameri- 
ca or  Some  of  them,  and  to  be  uttei'ed  and  Dis[)(,'i-sed  there,  and  not  else  where 
during  the  Terme  of  Foui'teen  years  to  Commence  from  Lady  Day  1722 
Under  the  Yearly  Kent  of  £'100  and  paying  a  Yearly  Sallary  of  .€200  to  His 
Maj.''^' Comptroller  during  the  Said  Term  Provided  that  every  Such  ( )lliee  fur 
Coyning  Sucli  lialfe-pence  Pence  and  Twopeiues  (before  any  Such  Coyning) 
be  Notified  by  tiie  Said  William  Wood  his  Ext"'"  Adni™  or  Assigns  in  the 
London  Gazette  and  by  a  Writing  to  be  openly  affixed  upon  the  Koyal  Ex- 
change in  London.  And  also  that  the  whole  Numl)i'r  or  Quantity  to  be  Coyned 
by  Virtue  of  this  His  Maj"'"  Lycence  do  not  exceed  in  the  said  whole  Term 
the  (^)uantity  to  be  made  of  ;5()0  Tons  of  the  said  mixt  imtal  nv  eompo-iiioii 
and  such  otiiei-   Provisoes  et  in  Oibus  iit   niile." 


160  THE   EARLY   COrN^S   OF   AMERICA. 

We  have  caused  search  to  be  made  in  the  files  of  the  London  Gazette 
for  the  notice  required  by  the  Ucense  to  be  published,  but  no  such  notice  is 
there  to  be  found.  All  we  can  learn  as  to  the  place  of  their  coinage  is  the 
mention  made  by  Snelling,  who  wrote  thus  :  "We  have  also  been  informed 
that  Kingsmill  Eyres,  Esq  ;  Mr.  Marsland,  a  Hardwareman  in  Cornhill,  and 
several  others  were  concerned  in  the  scheme,  the  last  mentioned  person  had 
great  quantities  of  them  in  his  cellar,  was  ruined  by  it,  and  died  housekeeper 
at  Gresham  College,  the  dyes  were  engraved  by  Mr.  Lammas,  Mr.  Standbroke, 
and  Mr.  Harold,  some  of  which  were  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Winthorpe,  who 
went  to  New- York,  his  father  lies  buried  at  Beckingham  ;  they  were  struck 
at  the  French  Change,  in  Hogg  Lane,  Seven  Dials,  by  an  engine  that  raised 
and  let  fall  an  heavy  weight  upon  them  when  made  hot,  which  is  the  most 
expeditious  way  of  striking  Bath  metal,  which  was  the  sort  of  metal  they  were 
made  of." 

Sir  Isaac  Newton  was  the  comptroller  first  appointed,  but  afterwards  his 
nephew,  Mr.  Barton,  was,  at  his  request,  appointed  in  his  stead.  This  was  for 
the  inspection  of  his  Irish  coinage,  but  it  is  supposed  that  the  same  officers 
performed  the  duties  of  that  office  for  that  for  America  also. 

Immediately  upon  the  appearance  of  AVood's  coin  in  Ireland,  great  ob- 
jections were  raised  to  it,  and  soon  appeals  were  made  to  the  king  to  protect 
the  people  from  the  dangerous  results  feared  from  it. 

Lord  Walpole,  in  a  letter  to  Lord  Townsend,  in  October,  1723,  says  of 
Lord  Carteret,  "He  slurs  the  duke  of  Grafton,  he  flings  dirt  upon  me,  who 
pass'd  the  patent,  and  makes  somebody  (probably  the  Duchess  of  Kendal,) 
uneasy,  for  whose  sake  it  was  done." 

So  great  a  distui'bance  was  created  on  account  of  this  coin.  Dean  Swift 
being  a  leading  spirit  in  arousing  and  keeping  active  the  discontent  of  the 
people,  that  the  king  reduced  the  amount  to  be  coined  from  £100,000  to 
£40,000  ;  but  the  clamor  not  subsiding.  Wood  was  induced,  in  1725,  to  sur- 
render his  patent  in  consideration  of  a  pension,  to  which  we  find  the  following 
reference  by  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  in  a  letter  to  Lord  Townsend  : 

"  (London,  October  12—21,  1725.) 

"His  majesty,  before  he  left  England,  signed  a  warrant  for  granting  a 
pension  of  1},000 1,  per  annum,  on  the  establishment  of  Ireland,  to  Thomas 
Uvedale,  esq.  which  was  to  him  in  trust  for  Mr.  Wood,  for  the  siu'render  of 
his  patent.     That  warrant  is  still  in  my  hands,  and  is  not  to  be  given  out  till 


THE   ROSA   AMERICAJSTA   SERIES.  161 

all  diffioulties  in  the  parliament  of  Ireland  are  over.  Mr.  Wood  has  now  been 
with  me,  to  desire  that  the  pension  of  3,000 1,  per  annum  to  Mr.  Uvedale,  may 
be  turned  into  three  pensions  of  1,000/.  per  annum,  for  the  same  number  of 
years,  which  he  desires,  for  the  greater  conveniency  of  disposing  of  it  to  the 
best  advantage,  finding  it  vei-y  difficult,  and  almost  impracticable  to  i)art  with 
the  whole  in  one  sum,  which  being  divided  into  three  parts,  may  be  easily 
had.  I  therefore  send  your  lordship  three  warrants  of  1,000/.  per  annum, 
each  for  eight  years,  which  I  desire  your  lordship  will  present  to  his  majesty 
to  be  signed;  and  upon  the  return  of  them,  I  will  cancel  the  former  warrants, 
and  keep  these  in  my  custody,  until  it  shall  be  proper  to  give  them  out." 

These  pieces  have  usually  been  known  as  the  Penny,  Halfpenny,  and 
Farthing;  but  as  the  patent  designates  "two  pence  pence  and  half  pence", 
as  the  value  of  the  pieces  to  be  issued,  we  take  that  as  our  authority  for 
deviating  from  the  common  nomenclature. 

ROSA    AMERICANA    TWOPENCE    OF     1722. 
OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Head  of  George  I.  to  right,  laureated. 

Legend,  —  georgius  -dig:  mag  :  bri  :  fra  :  et  •  hih  :  rex  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  full  double  rose,  from  which  pi'oject  five  barbs. 

Legend, kosa  •  Americana  •  1722-  in  the  superior  half  of  the  field; 

and  upon  a  label  beneath  the  rose,  utile  •  dulci 
Size,  20;    weight,  255  grains. 

fPl.-ito  IV,  No.  1.] 

PENNY. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Head  of  George  I.  to  right,  laureated. 
'Legend,  —  georgius-  dei  •  gratia  •  rex  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  full  double  rose,  from  which  project  five  barbs. 
Legend,  —  rosa  •  Americana  •  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  »      This    legend    en- 
circles the  piece. 

Size,  16  to  18;  weight,  139  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  Nos.  2,  3,  4,  .iiul  5.J 


162  THE    EAKLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

HALFPENNY. 

Same  devices  and  legends  with  the  Penny,  but  with  some  variations  which 
will  be  noted.     Size,  13  to  14  ;    weight,  75  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  Nos.  6,  7,  and  8.] 

Of  the  Twopence  with  rose  uncrowned  we  find  four  varieties,  two  of  which 
are  without  date.  The  legends  upon  these  dateless  varieties  are  georgivs  • 
D  :  G  :  MAG  :  bri  :  era  :  et  •  hib  :  rex  Reverse:  •  rosa  •  Americana  ■  •  utile  ■ 
DULCi  •    and   georgivs  -dig:  mag  :  bri  :  era  :  et  •  hib  :  rex  •     Reverse  : 

•  ROSA  •  AMERICANA  •    UTILE  •  DULCI       These   pieces   are   respectively,  size 
14,  weighing  270  grains,  and  size  20,  weighing  244  grains. 

[Plate  III,  Nos.  14  and  15.] 

The  first  of  these  is  the  unique  specimen  known  as  the  "  Iron  Rosa  Amer- 
icana." AVhy  it  is  called  "  iron  "  we  cannot  divine,  as  it  is  clear  copper.  The 
most  striking  feature  of  this  piece,  aside  from  its  size  and  the  rudeness  of  its 
impression,  (it  apparently  having  been  struck  as  a  trial  piece,)  is  that  the  motto, 

•  UTILE  •  DULCI  •    is  upou  the  field,  and  not  upon  a  label,  as  is  usual. 

We  find,  also,  two  varieties  of  the  Twopence  of  1722,  with  legends, — 
GEORGius  -dig:  MAG  :  BRI  :  ERA  :  ET  •  HIB  :  REX  and  GEORGius  -dig:  mag  : 
BRI :  ERA  :  ET  •  HIB  :  rp:x  •  The  reverses  of  these  are  from  diflerent  dies,  both 
punctuated  as  already  specified. 

Of  the  Penny  there  are  many  dies,  difiering  so  slightly  as  to  be  difficult 
to  describe.  The  principal  varieties  may  be  recognized  by  their  legends  and 
punctuations.  The  most  marked  variety  is  georgivs  •  dei  •  gratia  •  rex  • 
Reverse  :  rosa  •  Americana  *  vtile  •  dvlci  •  1722  *  This  reverse  has 
also  the  obverse  georgius  •  dei  ■  gratia  •  rex  •  upon  two  dies,  in  one  of 
which  the  letter  g  is  under  the  lower  lock  of  hair  ;  in  the  other,  the  letter  e 
occupies  that  position.     Other  less  marked  varieties  are, 

1  —  GEORGIUS    •    DEI    •    GRATIA    •    REX  • 

Reverse  ;     rosa  ■  Americana  •  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  • 

2  —  GEORGIUS    •    DEI    •    GRATIA   •    REX  • 

Reverse  :     rosa  •  Americana  •  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  * 

3  —  GEORGIUS    •    DEI    *    GRATIA    •    REX 

Reverse  :     rosa  •  Americana  »  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  * 

4 — GEORGIUS    •    DEI    •    GRATIA    •    REX 

Reverse  :     rosa  •  Americana  v-  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  » 


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THE    ROSA   AMERICANA    SERIES.  163 

Of  these  Ave  find  but  one  pair  of  dies  each  of  Nos.  1  and  3,  specimens 
from  which  are  very  rarely  met. with.  Of  Xos.  2  and  4  we  find  impressions 
from  about  a  dozen  pairs  of  dies  of  each,  and  they  are  of  nearly  equal  rarity. 

The  varieties  of  the  Halfpenny  are, 

1  —  GEORGIUS    •    DEI     •  GRATIA    •    REX  • 

Revei'se  :     rosa  •  ameri  :  vtile  •  dvlci  •  1722  • 

2  —  GEORGIUS         -dig:    REX  • 

Reverse  :     rosa  •  ameri  :  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  • 

3  —  GEORGIUS   •    DEI    •    GRATIA    •    REX  • 

Reverse  :     rosa  •  Americana  •  utile  •  dulci  •  1722  » 

Of  N^os.  1  and  2  we  find  one  pair  of  dies  of  each,  both  rare,  —  Xo.  1 
especially  so,  —  and  of  IS^o.  3  six  pairs. 

ROSA     AMERICANA    TWOPENCE    OF     1723. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Head  of  George  I.  to  right,  laureated. 

Legend,  —  georgius  •  d  :  g  :  mag  :  bri  :  era  :  et  •  iiib  :  rex  • 

Size,  19  to  21 J  weight,  220  grains. 

reverse. 
Device,  —  A  full  double  rose  with  barbs,  surmounted  by  a  crown. 
Legend,  —  rosa  •  Americana  •  1723-  in   the    superior    half  of  the  field; 
and  upon  a  label  l)eneath  the  rose,  utile  •  dulci 

[Plate  IV,  Nos.  9  and  10.] 

PENNY. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Head  of  George  I.  to  right,  laureated. 
Legend,  —  georgius  •  dei  •  gratia  •  rex  • 

reverse. 
~  Device,  —  A  full  douI)le  rose  with  barbs,  surmounted  by  a  crown. 
Legend,  —  rosa  •  Americana  •  1723  and  upon  a  label  beneath   the   rose, 
utile  •  dulci     This  legend  nearly  encircles  the  device. 
Size,  16  to  18;    weight,  148  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  Nos.  11  .in.l  12] 

"\Ve  have  one  specimen,  probaljly  a  trial  piece,  measuring  20^,  and  weigh- 
ing 185  grains. 


164  THE    EAKLY    COIXS    OF   AMERICA. 

HALFPENNY. 

This  is  usually  found  Avith  the  same  devices  aud  legends  with  the  Pcmiy, 
and  in  four  slightly  ditfering  pairs  of  dies,  all  quite  scarce.      Size,  14  ;  weight, 

64  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  No.  14.] 

An  extremely  rare  variety  of  the  Halfpenny  is  that  of  1723  with  rose 
uncrowned,  as  on  those  of  1722.  Of  this  we  find  one  obverse  and  two  reverse 
dies.  Its  legends  are  GEORGius  ■  dei  •  gratia-  rex-  Reverse:  rosa  ■  ameri- 
CAKA  *  UTILE  •  DULCi  •  1723  *     Size,  14  ;  weight,  51  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  No.  13.] 

It  should  be  stated  that  the  words  utile  dulci  are  never  found  upon  a 
label  on  the  luicrowned  Pennies  or  Halfpennies. 

The  varieties  in  the  legends  of  the  Twopence  of  1723  are, 

1 GEORGIUS  -dig:  MAG  :  BRI  :  FRA  :  ET  *   HIB  :  REX 

Reverse  :  rosa  •  amp:rioana  •  17-23     utile  •  dulci 

2  —  GEORGIUS  •  D  :  G  :  MAG  :  BRI  :  FRA  :  ET  •  IIII5  :  rex 

Reverse  :  rosa  •  americaxa  •  17'23  .  utile  •  dulci 

3  —  GEORGIUS  •  d:   g  :  mag:  bri  :  fra  :  et  •  iiib  :  rex  • 

Reverse:  rosa-  americaxa-  17-23     utile-  dulci 

Of  Xos.  1  and  2  we  find  one  pair  of  dies  each,  Xo.  2  being  very  I'are. 
Of  Xo.  3,  eight  pairs. 

We  have  noticed  no  difference  in  the  punctuation  of  the  dies  of  the  Penny, 
of  which  we  find  impressions  from  twenty  ^lairs,  or  in  that  of  the  Halfpenny. 
The  difference  in  the  positions  of  the  points  we  have  not  considered  sufficient 
to  specify  as  denoting  varieties. 

The  Penny  is  found,  but  very  rarely,  with  the  date  of  1724,  it  being-  sim- 
ilar in  design  to  that  of  1723.     Two  varieties  of  it  are  known,  which  are, 

1  —  GEORGIUS    -    DEI    -    GRATIA    -    REX 

Reverse  :  rosa  :  ame       ricaxa  -  17-24     utile  •  dulci 

2 GEORGIUS    •    DEI    -    GRATIA    -    REX    • 

Reverse  :  rosa  :  ame       ricaxa  -  17-24     utile  •  dulci 

The  cross  upon  the  crown  divides  the  legend  between  e  and  R,  as  indi- 
cated.    One  owned  by  Mr.  Bushnell  is  of  copper.     Size,  18;  weight,  125  grains. 

[Phite  IV,  Xo.  15.] 

The  weights  here  given  are  from  the  heaviest  specimens  we  have  found. 


THE    ROSA   AMERIC^\JSrA    SERIES.  163 

The  fii^iiro  1  upon  all  the  preceding  issnes  resembles  the  letter  J.  The 
borders  of  all  ai-e  beaded,  and  their  edges  plain. 

Wood's  coinage  for  America  seems  to  have  received  his  earliest  attenti'tn, 
as  coins  of  that  series,  witii  the  date  of  17l!2,  are  very  much  more  common 
than  are  those  dated  1723  ;  while  the  rarity  of  the  dates  of  the  Irish  pieces 
is  till'  reverse  of  this,  these  coins  with  the  former  date  being  extremely  scarce, 
while  those  of  1723  are  quite  common. 

Dr.  Clay  writes  of  the  i^ieces  without  date,  "I  feel  convinced  that  this 
dateless  type  preceded  the  dated  types;  if  so,  the  Rosa  Americanas  will  have 
to  be  considered  as  preceding  the  '  Wood '  money,  both  in  design  as  well  as 
issue  in  tlie  American  States.  This  appears  the  more  evident  from  tlie  fact 
that  the  second  type  of  Rosa  Americanas  bears  a  date  quite  as  early  as  the 
eai'liest  '  Wood '  money.  Ruding  makes  a  great  mistake  on  this  sul)ject  by 
asserting  that  the  dates  of  the  Rosa  Americanas  are  1720  and  1722,  whereas 
the  real  dates  are  1722,  1723,  and  1733,  unless  he  means  to  prove  that  there 
was  a  mintage  of  these  coins  in  1720,  but  which  does  not  satisfactoril}'  apjjear 
unless  we  suppose  (and  it  is  not  improbable,)  that  the  pieces  bearing  no  date 
of  all  might  have  been  minted  in  1720  ;  if  so,  the  priority  of  the  Rosa  Amer- 
icanas over  those  called  'Wood'  money  would  be  fairly  established." 

Swift  says  in  his  third  Drapier's  Letter,  "He  (Wood)  hath  already  tryed 
his  Faculty  in  Xew  England,  and  I  hope  he  will  meet  at  least  with  an  Equal 
Reception  liere  ;    what  That  was  I  leave  to  publick  Intelligence." 

The  author  of  a  pamphlet  entitled  "A  defence  of  the  conduct  of  tlie  peo- 
ple of  Ireland  in  thcii-  unanimous  I'efusal  of  Mr  Wood's  Copper  Money,"  says, 
"Mr  Wood  obtainetl  a  Patent  for  Coining  small  Money  for  the  English  Plan- 
tations, in  ])ursuance  of  which,  he  had  the  Conscience  to  make  Thirteen  Shil- 
lings out  of  a  Pound  of  P>rass.  This  Money  they  rejected  in  a  ^ranuer  not 
so  decent  as  that  of  Ireland.  Put  he  has  never  called  it  Popular  Fury,  and 
we  hear  Xothing  ol"  the  I'ateiit'it  self.  Our  Traders  sulfered  prodigiou>ly, 
and  foi-  a  long  'I'ime  by  oui'  former  Coinage  of  Copjjcr.  For  it  is  not  liere 
as  in  I^ngland  wliere  if  lliey  be  overstocked  with  Halfpence,  it  is  only  sending 
tliem  to  the  Knglisji  Plantations,  where  they  pass  for  Pence.  Halfpence  there 
are  a  good  Commodity.  We  had  this  Trade  once,  which  freed  us  from  the 
Load  of  Copper  Money  which  we  Iaboure<l  under.  But  that  Trach'  is  now 
over,  for  our  llairpeuce  will  not  pass  above  llieir  Intrinsick  \^alue  in  the  I'lan- 
tations." 

AVe  learn  no  ijarticulars  in   confirmation  of  the   above  statement    regarding 


166  THE    EARLY   COnSTS    OP   AMERICA. 

the  reception  of  Wood's  coinage  in  America,  althongh  we  have  no  reason  to 
suppose  it  a  success  as  a  speculation. 

Although  Wood  surrendered  his  right  to  coin  tokens  for  Ireland,  it  does 
not  appear  that  he  at  once  discontinued  his  eftbrts  to  introduce  them  here,  as 
we  find  in  the  Massachusetts  Archives,  [Vol.  52,  p.  305,]  the  following  letter 
from  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  : 

"Sir  "Whitehall  29'."  Oct^  1725. 

His  Majesty  having  been  pleased  to  grant  to  M'  William  Wood  his 
Letters  Patents  for  the  Coyning  of  Halfpence,  pence  and  Two  Fences  of  the 
Yalue  of  Money  of  Great  Britain  for  the  Use  of  His  Maj'''*  Dominions  in 
America,  which  said  Coyn  is  to  receive  such  additional  Yalue  as  shall  be  rea- 
sonable and  agreeable  to  the  customary  allowance  of  Exchange  in  the  several 
parts  of  those  His  Maj'''^  Dominions,  as  you  will  see  more  at  large  l)y  a  Copy 
of  the  Patent,  which  will  be  laid  before  you  by  the  person,  that  delivers  this 
Letter  to  you  ;  I  am  to  signify  to  you  His  Maj*^''*  pleasure,  that,  in  pursuance 
of  a  Clause  in  the  said  Patent  by  which  all  His  Maj''*"  Officers  are  to  be  aiding 
&  assisting  to  Ml  Wood  in  the  due  Execution  of  what  is  therein  directed  and 
in  the  legal  Exercise  of  the  several  Powers  and  Enjoyment  of  the  Pri\ilcges 
and  Advantages  thereby  granted  to  him,  you  give  him  all  due  Encouragement 
and  assistance,  and  that  you  and  all  such  other  of  His  Maj'-  '^  Officers  there, 
whom  it  may  concern,  do  readily  perform  all  legal  Acts,  that  may  be  requisite 
for  that  purpose  ;  This  I  am  particularly  to  recommend  to  your  Care  ;  and 
to  desire  your  Protection  to  Mr  Wood  and  to  those  he  shall  employ  to  trans- 
act this  aftair  in  the  Provinces  under  your  Government.      I  am 

Sir 

Your  most  humble  Servant 

Holies  Newcastle. 
"  Govf  of  the  Massachusets  Bay 
and  New  Hampshire." 

The  only  early  reference  we  find  to  the  Twopence  of  1733,  is  that  of 
Snelling,  who  says,  "We  never  heard  of  any  proposals  made  about  the  year 
1733,  for  an  American  Coinage;  however,  No.  28  has  the  aj)pearance  of  a 
pattern  piece  for  some  such  scheme;  it  has  the  king's  head  laureat,  inscribed, 
GEORGI0S  n  .  D  .  G  .  REX  .  and  ou  the  reverse  a  leafed  rose  crowned,  inscribed, 
ROSA  AMERicAXA  1733  —  UTILE  DULOi.  The  ouly  piece  we  know  of,  is  in 
the  collection  of  Thomas  Hollis,  Esq;  we  have  also  seen  a  proof  of  the  head 


THE    ROSA   AMERICANA   SERIES.  107 

in  steel,  said  to    be  struck  on    that  metal    to  shew  how  nialleal)le    tliey  could 
make  it  by  smelting  it  with  pit  coal,  by  a  scheme  then  on  foot." 

It  seems  unnecessary  to  seek  far  for  the  origin  of  this  piece,  as  it  is 
reasonable  to  suppose  that  Wood,  the  term  of  whose  patent  was  unexpired, 
still  entertained  hopes  of  reaping  some  advantage  from  it,  and  intended  to 
throw  another  issue  into  circulation;  but,  judging  from  its  extreme  rarity, 
only  a  very  small  quantity  could  have  been  struck,  pi'ol)al)ly  no  moi-e  than  a 

few  patterns. 

THE    TWOPENCE    OF    1733. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Head  of  George  II.  to  left,  laureated. 
Legend,  —  georgivs  •  ii  •  d  •  G  •  rex  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  rose  branch,  bearing  at  its  top  a  full-blown  rose,  a  stem  at 
tlie  left  bearing  four  leaves,  another  at  the    i-ight  three   leaves  and  a  hud. 

Jjegend, — rosa  •  amer  icaxa  •  i73a  •  The  motto,  utile  dulci  •  is  upon 
a  scroll-like  label,  beneath  the  rose.  The  crown  divides  tlie  word  Americana, 
as  indicated.     Size,  21;  Weight,  2G6  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  No.  16.] 

The  only  specimen  we  have  seen  is  in  the  collection  of  the  wiiter;  an- 
other, as  well  as  an  obverse  in  steel,  is  said  to  be  in  the  Britisli  Museum. 
Two  other  impressions  of  the  obverse,  in  steel,  are  known. 

THE    liOSA  :  SINE  :  SPINA. 

We  insert  this  piece,  not  because  we  consider  it  as  strictly  belonging  to 
this  sei-ies,  but  because  it  has  been  confounded  witli  the  Twopence  of  1733, 
to  tlie  reverse  of  which  it  bears  some  resemblance. 

A  piece  is  engraved  on  the  second  additional  plate  to  Simon,  [Xo.  28,] 
the  obverse  of  which  is  nearly  identical  with  this,  its  reverse  having  for  de- 
vice, a  sceptre  and  trident  crossed,  interlaced  with  a  tlu-ee-Ioopcd  cord,  with 
tassels  pendant;  legend,  regit  •  v^vs  •  vtroqve  •  17-24  •  also  one  of  half 
the  size  and  of  the  same  descrijjt ion.  These  are  there  called  "a  sort  of  jet- 
tons". But  a  single  specimen  of  one  of  these  pieces  has  come  to  our  knowl- 
edge; this  is  one  of  the  larger  size,  in  the  collection  of  William  S.  Appleton. 
Its  size  is  17i;    weight,  127  grains. 


168  THE    EARLY    COLN^S    OF   AMERICA. 

A  medal  is  represented  on  plate  IX  of  "Thirty  Three  plates  of  English 
Medals  By  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Snelling",  the  reverse  of  which  has  the 
same  device  and  legend  with  that  last  described  :  its  date  is  1628.  Another 
reverse  mnch  resembling  it  is  given  upon  the  same  plate. 

The  Rosa  Sine  Spina  doubtless  belongs  to  the  same  class  of  pieces 
with  those  desci'ibed  l^y  Simon,  and  both  designs  may  have  been  intended  as 
patterns,  but  of  this  there  is  no  evidence. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Head  of  George  I.  to  right,  laureated. 
Legend,  —  georgius  •    dei  •    gratia  •    rex  • 

REVERSE. 

Device, —  A  rose  bush  springing  from  the  ground,  bearing  at  its  top  a 
full-blown  rose,  below  which  are  two  stems,  each  bearing  a  closed  bud,  and  a 
bud  half  opened. 

Legend,  —  iiosA  :  sixe  :  spixa  • 

Size,  1(3^  ;    Weight,  120  grains. 

We  have  been  favored  by  Matthew  A.  Stickney,  Esq.,  of  Salem,  witli  the 
use  of  the  specimen  in  his  cabinet,  for  illustration. 

[Plato  III,  No.  IG.] 

This  piece  is  eagerly  sought  by  collectors  of  American  coins,  but  is  met 
with  in  very  few  cabinets.  Of  the  only  specimens  we  have  seen  beside  tlie  one 
mentioned  above,  one  is  in  the  collection  of  Chas.  I.  Bushnell,  Esq.,  and  tlie 
ownership  of  the  other  is  unknown    to  us. 


PENNSYLVA^TiA 


Pennsylvania  passed  no  act  anthorizing  a  coinage,  but  as  some  early 
action  occurs  regulating  the  circulation  of  copper  coin  in  this  State,  as  well 
as  a  petition  to  the  State  authorities  for  the  privilege  of  coining,  we  next 
give  it  a  place. 

AVe  find  in  AVatson's  Annals  of  Philadelphia,  the  following  paragraph: 
"  18  June  1741. — C.  Hasel,  Mayor.  The  Board  having  taken  into  Considei- 
ation  the  Currency  of  the  English  Half  pence  and  the  Disquiet  that  is  among 
the  Inhabitants,  occasioned  by  some  persons  refusing  to  take  them,  thought 
proper  that  a  Declaration  should  l)e  made  pnbliek  by  the  TJoard.  that  the 
sd  lialfpcnee  slid  be  taken  at  fifteen  to  tlie  shilling,  which  is  adjudged  to 
be  nearest  to  such  value,  as  might  discourage  too  great  a  quantity  being  Tm- 
])orted,  and  at  the  same  time  prevent  their  lieing  carried  away,  and  a  Proc- 
lamalion  for  that  i)urpose  was  oi'dered  to  be  drawn,  and  that  the  same  should 
bi'  published  in  the  City  by  the    Beadle." 

We  ai'e  indebted  to  Dr.  Edwaid  Maris,  of  Philadelphia,  for  our  coin-  of  the 
action  liere  icfcrred  to,  as  well  as  for  the  order  prohibiting  halfpence  of 
base  metal,  soon  to  be  given. 

Frdiu  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  June  18,  1741.  "Printed  by  B.  Franklin, 
Postmaster,  at  the  Kew   Pi'iiiliug  Oflicc   near  tlie  Afarket." 

^''  By  the  Mayor  (intl  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  I'liilatUlpbia. 

"AVFiereas  the  ('urrency  of  English  llall-pi'uc-c  in  tliis  Piovince,  has  long 
l)een    (uiind    com  i-uit'ut     fur  the    ('>e    of   llic    Inlial)i(anls,   lor   small    Change; 


170  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

but  the  Value  or  Eate  at  which  they  should  pass  not  having  been  settled  by 
any  Authority,  they  have  been  often  received  at  too  high  a  Value,  by  Reason 
whereof  great  Quantities  of  Half-pence  were  imported  from  the  ISTeighboring 
Colonies,  and  exchanged  for  our  Gold  and  Silver. 

"And  whereas  at  a  late  General  Meeting  of  the  Merchants  and  others,  it 
was  agreed  that  the  said  Half-pence  should  be  received  at  Fifteen  for  One 
Shilling,  current  Money  of  this  Province,  which  was  judged  to  be  the  nearest 
to  such  a  Value  as  might  discourage  too  great  a  Quantity  being  imported, 
and  at  the  same  Time  prevent  their  being  carried  away. 

"  And  Whereas  some  uneasy  and  ill-disposed  Persons,  without  any 
Authority  or  Consent  of  the  trading  Part  of  the  Province,  are  now  endeav- 
ouring to  lessen  the  Value  or  Kate  at  which  the  said  Half-pence  were  lately 
agreed  to  pass  ;  which  tends  very  much  to  interrupt  the  Trade  of  the 
Province,  and  to  breed  Disquiet  among  the  Inhabitants:  And  the  Mayor  and 
Commonalty  having  taken  the  same  into  their  Consideration,  and  being  will- 
ing, as  far  as  they  may,  to  prevent  the  Inconveniencies  that  may  happen  by 
Reason  of  such  a  Proceeding;  Do  declare,  That  until  the  Value  or  Rate  at 
which  English  Half-pence  were  lately  agreed  to  pass,  be  alter'd  by  some 
lawful  Authority,  or  general  Agreement  among  the  trading  Persons  and  In- 
habitants of  the  Province,  any  Person  or  Persons  who  shall  refuse  to  receive 
English  Half-pence  in  small  Payments,  at  the  Rate  of  Fifteen  English  Half- 
pence for  One  Shilling,  ought  to  be  deemed  a  Disturber  of  the  Publick  Peace 
of  the  Province. 

''Philadelphia,  June  18,  1741." 

The  next  action  of  this  State  appertaining  to  oiu'  subject  was  an  act 
against  counterfeiting,  passed  on  the  21st  of  February,  1767,  and  found  in 
the  book  of  laws,  at  date. 

"And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  person  or  persons  within  this 
province,  after  the  publication  of  this  act,  shall  falsly  forge  and  counterfeit 
any  coin  of  gold  or  silver,  which  now  is  or  shall  be  passing,  or  in  circulation, 
in  this  province,  every  such  person  or  persons  so  oflending,  and  being 
thereof  lawfully  convicted,  shall  sutler  death,  without  the  benefit  of  clergy; 
and  every  person  or  persons,  who  shall  pay,  or  tender  in  payment,  any  such 
forged  and  coiniterfeited  coin  of  gold  or  silver,  knowing  the  same  to  be  so 
forged  and  counterfeited,  and  being  thereof  legally  convicted  in  any  court 
of  record  in  this  province,  such  person  or  persons    shall  be  sentenced  to  the 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


171 


pillory'  for  the  space  of  one  hour,  and  to  have  both  his  or  her  ears  cnt  off, 
and  nailed  to  the  pilloi-y,  and  be  pnblickly  whipped,  on  his  or  her  bai"e  back, 
with  twenty-one  lashes,  well  laid  on;  and,  moreover,  every  snch  offender  shall 
forfeit  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  lawful  money  of  this  province,  one 
half  to  the  use  of  the  Governor,  and  the  other  half  to  the  discoverer,  with 
costs  and  charges  of  prosecution." 

We  have  found  nothing  more  of  interest  in  the  records  of  Pennsylvania 
until    1781,  when  an  order    was    passed  for   the    purpose    of  suppressing    the 
quantity  of  base  halfpence  with  which  the  State  was  flooded,  as  indicated  by 
the  following  order  of  Council. 


1  It  is  not  our  intention  to  give  all  acts  relating  to  counterfeiting,  but 
we  have  inserted  tliis  as  an  example  of  the  severity  with  which  such  offences, 
and  indeed  many  of  much  less  enormity,  were  piuiished  in  olden  times.  An 
instance  of  the  use  of  the  pillory  in  1679,  is  thus  recorded  in  Drake's 
History  of  ]?oston,  p.  437. 

"Peter  Lorphelin,  a  Frenchman,  was  accused  of  uttering  'rash  and 
insulting-  speeches  in  the  time  of  the  late  conflagration,  thereby  rendering 
himself  justly  suspicious  of  having  a  hand  therein,  was  seized  and  commit- 
ted to  the  Goale  in  Boston;'  his  chest  and  writings  were  examined.  In  his 
chest  were  faund  two  or  three  '  crusables,  a  melting  pan,  a  strong  ])air  of 
^  shears  to  clip  money,  and  seuerall  clijypings  of  tlie  Massachusets  money, 
and  some  other  instruments.'  He  denied  having  ever  made  use  of  these 
things,  but    said  tliev   were   given    him  by  a  jjrivateer.     But,  on   being  re- 

PII.LOKY.  ,     ,  •    -1      1         "       ,  ^  1  ,  ,.111  1  1 

mandeil  to  jail,  he  made  up  another   story,  by  which    lie    lio]ied    to    clear 
himself.     All,  however,  to  no  purpose.     He  was  'sentenced  to  stand 
two  hours  in  the  Pillory,  have  both  ears  cut  off,  give  bond  of  £500 
(with  two   sureties),  pay  charges  of  prosecution,  fees  of  Court,  and 
to  stand    committed    till    the  senten6e  be  performed.'     Tlie  annexed     g- 
engraving  represents  an  ordinary  constructed  Pillory  of  the  time."       vl 

An  item  of  interest  relating  to  the  Stot'ks,  another  instrument 
of  punishment  used  in  olden  times,  is  thus  related  by  Drake:  "Ed- 
ward Palmer  had  bet'ii  eniployed  to  erect  Stocks  in  which  to  jiiiri- 
ish     ofFenders.       Having     brought    in    his     bill     for    the     woodwork,  Mmu^. 

amounting  to  .£'1,  13s.  &  7d,  the  Court  decided  that  it  was  exorbitant  ;  and,  instead  of  dr.iw- 
ing  an  onler  on  the  Treasui-er  lor  its  jiaynieiit,  thi'y  onlere<l  liim  to  be  set  in  said  Stocks  fur 
an  hour  and  to  pay  a  line  of  £5.  It  is  dillicult  at  this  day  to  understand  on  what  ground 
Edward  Palmer  was  subjected  to  an  ignominious  ]mnislimeiit.  He  i)rob.ibly  found  the  mate- 
rials for  the  Stocks,  and  not  less  than  two  days  must  have    been  taken   up  in   making    them." 

We  are  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Samuel  G.  Drake,  A.  JNI.,  for  the  use  of  the  engravings 
upon  this  page. 


172  THE    EARLY    COI?fS    OF    AMERICA. 

ORDER   OF   COUNCIL. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  July  14th  1781 
The   following   proclamation   being  read   and   Considered,  the   same  was 
agreed    to    and   ordered   to    be    published,  vizt:  By  his    Excellency  JOSEPH 
REED,  Esquire,  President,  and  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania: 

A    PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  Divers  ill-disposed  persons  have  manufactured  or  imported 
into  this  State  quantities  of  base  metal,  in  the  similitude  of  British  half-pence, 
but  much  inferior  in  value  and  weight  to  genuine  British  half-pence,  to  the 
great  depreciation  of  that  coin,  the  injury  of  the  community  in  general,  and 
the  poor  in  particular,  such  practices  having  a  natural  tendency  to  raise  the 
necessarys  of  life  and  introduce  new  confusion  in  the  currency  of  the  Coun- 
try: We  have,  therefore  thought  proper  to  prohibit,  and  do  hereby  strictly 
enjoin  all  officers  employed  in  the  receipt  of  taxes  or  other  publick  dues, 
not  to  receive  such  base  coin  in  any  payments  whatsoever;  and  do  earnestly 
recommend  to  all  the  faithfuU  inhabitants  of  this  State  to  refuse  it  in  pay- 
ment, and  b}^  all  other  lawful  ways  and  means  discourage  the  currency 
thereof;  and  we  do  in  a  special  manner  direct  and  enjoin  all  Magistrates, 
Sherifts,  Constables  and  other  civil  officers  within  this  State,  to  make  due 
inquiry  after  offenders  in  the  premises,  that  they  may  be  brought  to  speedy 
and  condign  punishment. 

Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  his  Excellency 
JOSEPH  REED,  Esquire,  President,  and  the  less  seal  of  the  State, 
at  Philadelphia,  this  fourteenth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  one. 

JOSEPH   REED,  President. 

These  base  halfpence  were,  in  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Maris,  and  we  think 
all  will  agree  with  him,  those  bearing  vai-ious  legends,  many  of  which  appear 
intended  to  be  taken  for  Georgius  H.  or  III.  Rex.  and  Britannia  or  Hiber- 
nia,  while  others  merely  imitate  the  general  design  of  the  English  or  Irish 
halfpence,  without  any  evident  attempt  to  mislead  by  the  legends. 


PENNSYLVANIA.  173 

Among  the  legends  are  found,  coknwallis  int).      Rev. — delectan  dos 

1000 ;  GKOKGE  RULES — BKITAINS  ISLES-  1730;  GLORIOVS  lER  •  VIS. — BRITAN 
RULE  1771;  BRUTUS  SEXTUS— BRITANNIA  •  1771;  GREGORY  •  HI  •  PON. — BEL  *  ONA 
1771;    GLORIVS.    PIT-    SEX. — BONNY    GIRL.    1779 

On  most  of  these  the  head   resembles  one  of  the   Georges,  and   the    i-e- 

verses  have  a  figure  of  Britannia;  similar  pieces  are  found  of  the  farthing  size. 

The  four   following   have    similar    heads,  but   a   harp    upon   the    reverse: 

GEORGE  RULED. — BRITAIXS  ISLES.  1756;  GRUiM''rUIS  •  ITI  NEX — IlIHARMIA  •  177C; 
CORN\S'ALLIS   IND  —  HIBERIA    1776;    GREGORIVS  -    III-    PON. — HEBRIDES    1781 

The  above  will  serve  as  examjiles  of  this  class  of  pieces,  of  which  many 
others  are  found.  The  light  pieces  of  brassy  composition,  with  devices  similar 
to  English  and  Irish  coins,  but  without  legends,  sometimes  called  "Carolina" 
or  "Geoi'gia"  cents,  we  should  class  among  these;  and  also  the  pieces  with 

r  Device,  —  A  female,  seated,  facing  left,  with  a  harp  at  the  right. 
OBVERSE.  <  Legend,  —  north    American     token 
'  In  exergue,  — 1781 

,  Device,  —  A  ship,  sailing  to  the  left. 

REVERSE.  >  '  I'D 


-\ 


Legend,  —  commerce 


The  trouble  from  base  halfpence  seems  to  have  continued  up  to  the 
time  of  the  mint,  as  we  find  in  tlie  American  State  Papers,  Vol.  7,  [>.  lUl, 
this  notice  regarding  them: 

"  The  coinage  of  copper  is  a  subject  that  claims  our  immediate  atteiUinn. 
From  the  small  value  of  the  several  pieces  of  copper  coin,  this  medium  of 
exchange  has  been  too  nuich  neglected.  The  more  va]ual)le  metals  are  daily 
giving  place  to  base  British  half-pence,  and  no  means  are  used  to  prevent  the 
fraud.  This  disease,  which  is  neglected  in  the  beginning,  because  it  appears 
trilling,  may  finally  ])rove  very  destructive  to  connnerce.  It  is  admitted  that 
copper  may,  at  this  instant,  be  purchased  in  America  at  one-eighth  of  a 
dollar  the  pound. 

"British  half-pence,  made  at  the  Tower,  are  lui-ty-eight  to  tlu'  jxiund. 
Those  manufactured  at  IJirminghaui,  and  shipped  in  thousands  for  our  use, 
arc  much  lighter,  and  they  are  of  base  metal.  It  can  hardly  be  said  that 
seventy-two  of  them  are  worth  a  j)ound  ol"  copper;  hence  it  will  follow,  that 
we  give  for  British  half-pence  about  six  tiuies  their  value.  Inhere  ai'e  no 
materials   from  which    we   can   estimate   the   weight  of  hall-pence,  that  have 


174  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AlVIEEICA. 

been  imported  from  Britain  since  the  late  war,  but  we  have  heard  of  sundry 
shi])ments  being  ordered,  to  the  nominal  amount  of  one  thousand  guineas; 
and  we  are  told  that  no  packet  arrives  from  England  without  some  hundred 
weight  of  base  half-pence.  It  is  a  very  moderate  comj)utation  which  states 
our  loss,  on  the  last  twelve  months,  at  30,000  dollars,  by  the  commerce  of 
vile  coin." 

The  following  petition  for  the  privilege  of  coining  was  presented  to  the 
Assembly  of  Pennsylvania;  and  we  are  indebted  to  Chas.  I.  Bushnell,  Esq., 
for  a  certified  copy.  The  original  is  on  the  files  of  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives at  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

"Petition  of  Tho'  Smyth,  Jr.  and  Thomas  Harwood.  Read  1''  time  Apl  5, 1786. 
"  To  the  Hon'ble,  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania. 

"The  Petition  of  Thof  Smyth  Jr.  and  Tho*^  Harwood  S"?  both  Citizens 
of  the  State  of  Maryland  — 

"Humbly  Sheweth,  That  your  Petitioners  are  possessed  of  Mines  which 
will  produce  lai-ge  quantities  of  Silver  and  Copper,  and  that  as  there  is 
throughout  the  United  States  a  distressing  scarcity  of  Specie,  They  Humbly 
Conceive  that  those  Mines  may  be  made  use  of  much  to  the  advantage  of 
the  Public,  by  a  part  of  their  produce  being  Coined.  For  which  purpose 
they  are  induced  to  Solicit  your  Hon'ble  body  for  a  hiw  giving  them  an 
exclusive  right  of  Coinage  either  to  a  certain  amount  or  length  of  time,  as 
your  honoi's  may  deem  most  expedient. 

"Your  Petitioners  will  be  ready  to  give  yon  Satisfactory  Security  for 
Coining  one  fourth  as  much  Silver  as  Coppei",  equal  in  purity  and  weight  to 
any  of  the  like  Kind  now  circulating  in  America,,  and  the  Copper  equal,  if 
not  Superior,  to  those  made  at  Tower  Hill,  London,  as  well  as  the  performance 
of  every  other  Obligation,  it  may  be  necessary  for  them  to  enter  into. 

"Your  Petitioners  flatter  themselves,  that  Your  Honors  will  readily  per- 
cieve  the  benefits,  the  State  must  derive  from  an  acceptance  of  their  propo- 
sition, and  that  their  Application  Avill  meet  with  the  Approbation  of  Your 
Honoi-able  Body,  And  your  Petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray, 
&c  &e  Tho^  Smyth  Jr.         Tho«  Harwood  3^" 

It  does  not  appear  that  this  petition  received  any  other  attention  than  a 
single  reading,  as  we  discover  no  reference  to  any  further  action  thereupon; 
neither  do  we  learn  of  any  subsequent  attempt  to  establish  a  coinage  in  this 
State. 


NEW    HAMPSHIRE 


'New  Hampshire  was  the  first  of  the  States  which,  subsequent  to  the 
declaration  of  independence,  considered  the  subject  of  a  coinage  of  copper. 

Soon  after  that  event,  she  authorized  such  a  coinage,  and  designated  the 
devices  and  legend  to  be  placed  upon  it;  it  is  supposed,  however,  tliat 
although  patterns  were  prepared,  little,  if  any,  of  the  proposed  coin  was  put 
into  circulation.  We  are  indebted  to  the  Hon.  Charles  H.  Bell,  of  Exeter, 
1^.  H.,  for  our  copy  of  the  original  record  of  this  act,  as  well  as  for  draughts 
of  the  designs  sketched  upon  it,  from  which  our  engravings  have  been  made. 
The  design  for  the  reverse  is  found  upon  the  back  of  the  original,  and  not 
on  the  face  as  we  have  placed  it. 

"in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  Mar:  13*."  1776. 

"Voted  that  a  Connuittee  be  chose  to  Joyn  a  Committee  from  the 
Hon^'®  Board,  to  confer  upon  the  expediency  of  making  Copper  Coin  & 
make  a  report  to  this  House. 

Voted,  that  Cap?  Pierce  Long  Jonathan  Lovell  Esq'  &  Deacon  Nahum  Balden 
-fe^  be  the  Committee    for    the    above    mentioned 

•  h«r!<>i?^.J^      purpose.     Sent  up  for  concun-ence. 

P  White  Speaker. 
In  Council  Eodem  Die  Kead  &  Mf"  Clagett 
&  Giles  added  on  the  part  of  the  Board. 

E.  Thompson,  Secy. 

"  The  Committee  huml)ly  report  that  they  find  it  expedient  to  make  Cop- 
per Coin,  for  the  Benefit  of  small  Change,  and  as  the  Continental  and  other 
Bills  are  so  large  that  William  Moulton  be  impowered  to  make  so  many  as 
may  amount  to  lOO""  w'  subject  when  made  to  the  Inspection  and  Direction  of 
the  General  Assembly,  before  Circulation.  Also  we  recommend  that  108  of  said 
Coppers  be  equal  to  one  Spanish  milld  Dollar:  That  the  said  Coin  be  of  pure 
Coi)per  and  equal  in  W  to  English  halfpence,  and  bear  such  Device  thci-con 
as  the  Gen'  Assembly  may  approve.  Wyseman  Claggett,  Chairman." 


176 


THE   EARLY   COENS   OF   AMERICA. 


A  copper  piece  has  recently  been  discovei'ed  in  Portsmouth,  JS".  II.  (it 
having  been  there  exhumed  by  a  Uiboi-er  in  removing  a  bank  of  earth,  the 
accumulation  of  many  years,)  which,  from  the  initials  upon  its  reverse,  it 
would  appear  probable  was  either  a  card  or  a  pattern  issued  by  the  William 
Moulton  mentioned  in  the  report  of  the  committee.  It  is  still  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  finder,  who  refuses  to  part  with  it  except  at  a  j)rice  so  excessive 
that  no  purchaser  has  yet  been  found.  This  piece  is  much  corroded  and 
defaced,  but  is  well  represented  by  the  wood  cut,  Fig.  28 — A. 


In  Force's  "American  Archives"  Ave  find  that  in  the  New  Hampshire 
House  of  Representatives,  it  was,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1776,  "  Voted,  That 
the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  receive  into  the  Ti-easui-y,  in  exchange  for  the 
Paper  Bills  of  this  Colony,  any  quantity  of  Copper  Coin,  made  in  this 
Colony,  of  the  weight  of  five  pennyweight  and  ten  grains  each,  to  the 
amount  of  any  sum  not  exceeding  £1,000  lawful  money;  three  of  which 
Coppers  shall  be  received  and  paid  for  tAvo  pence,  lawful  money,  in  all  pay- 
ments; which  Coppers  shall  have  the  following  device,  viz:  A  Pine  tree, 
with  the  word  American  liberty  on  one  side,  and  a  harp  and  the  figures 
1776  on  the  other  side." 

A  copper  coin  in  the  collection  of  Matthew  x\.  Stickney,  Esq.,  corres- 
ponds Avith  the  description  given  in  this  vote,  but  exceeds  the  AA'eight  there 
specified,  as  this,  though  much  Avorn,  Aveighs  155  grains.^  It  is  represented 
as  clearly  as  its  condition  will  admit,  on  Plate  VI.,  No.  3.  We  have  seen 
one  specimen  similar  to  the  last  in  its  design,  but  with  the  date  1776,  barely 
legible,  not  struck  in  dies,  but  engraA^ed,  probably  as  a  pattern  of  the  time; 
this  is  owned  by  Charles  M.  Hodge,  of  Newburyport.  It  is  shoAvn  in  Fig. 
28 — B,  and  its  obverse  on  Plate  VI.,  No.  4.     Size  18i,  weight  127  grains. 

Belknap  states,  [Hist.  N.  H.,  1791,]  that  "the  names  of  streets  which 
had  been  called  after  a  King  or  Queen,  Avere  altered;  and  the  half-pence, 
which  bore  the  name  of  George  III.,  were  either  refused  in  payment  or  de- 
graded to  fai-things.     These  last  have  not  yet  recovered  their  value." 


VERMONT. 


The  first  State  that  can  be  said  to  have  issued  a  coinage  of  copper, 
was  Vermont,  —  not  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States,  neither  was  slie 
then  considered  one  of  the  "  United  States  of  America,"  not  being  admitted 
to  the  Union  until  1791. 

A  petition  was  presented  by  Reuben  Harmon,  Jr.,  pi-obably  June  10th, 
1785,  as  we  find  recorded  in  the  Journal  of  the  House,  — 

"Friday  June  10,  1785  Two  o'clock  P.  M. 

"A  petition  signed  Reuben  Harmon  Jun,  praying  for  leave  to  coin  a 
quantity  of  copper,  &c.  being  read,  was  referred  to  a  Committee  of  three,  to 
join  a  Committee  from  the  Council,  to  take  the  same  under  consideration, 
state  facts,  &  make  report  of  their  opinion  to  this  House. 

"The  members  chosen,  Mr.  Tichenor,  Mr.  Strong,  and  Mr.  Williams." 
Mr.  Ira  Allen  was  added  to  this  committee  from  the  Council. 

A  Bill  was  bi-ought  in  June  15lh,  "  and  sent  to  the  Governor  and 
Council  ibr  pei'usal  &  proposals  of  amendment." 

The  Jiill  was  as  follows: 

"An  act  Granting  to  Reuben  Harmon  Junr  EsqT  a  right  of  coining  Copper, 
and  regulating  the  same. 

"AV^hereas  Reuben  Harmon  Junior  Esq"  of  Reuport,  in  the  County  of 
Benington,  by  his  Petition  has  represented  that  he  has  purchased  a  quantity 
of  Copper,  suitable  for  coining,  and  i)raying  this  Legislature  to  grant  him  a 
riglit  to  coin  Copper,  under  such  regulations  as  this  assembly  shall  think 
meet;  and  tliis  assembly  being  willing  to  encourage  an  undertaking  that 
promises  so  much  public  utility,  therefore 


178  THE   EARLY    COINTS    OF    AlSfERICA. 

"Be  it  enacted  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  Representatives  of  the 
Freemen  of  the  State  of  Vermont  in  General  assembly  met  and  by  the  au- 
thority of  the  same,  that  there  be  and  hereby  is  granted  to  the  said  Reuben 
Harmon  Junior  Esq,  the  exclusive  right  of  coining  Copper  within  this  State 
for  the  term  of  two  years  from  the  first  day  of  July,  in  the  present  year  of 
our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  five:  and  all  Coppers  by 
him  coined,  shall  be  in  pieces  of  one  third  of  an  ounce,  Troy  weight  each, 
with  such  Devices  and  Mottos  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the  Committee 
appointed  for  that  purpose  by  this  assembl}'. 

"And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid  that  the  said 
Reuben  Harmon  before  he  enter  on  the  business  of  coining,  or  take  any 
benefit  of  this  act,  shall  enter  into  a  bond  of  five  thousand  pounds,  to  the 
Treasurer  of  this  State,  with  two  or  more  good  and  sufficient  sureties, 
Freeholders  of  this  State,  conditioned  that  all  the  Copper  by  him  coined  as 
aforesaid,  shall  be  of  full  weight  as  specified  in  this  act,  and  that  the  same 
shall  be  made  of  good  and  genuine  Metal." 

This  record  of  the  passage  of  this  bill  occurs  upon  the  same  day:  —  "A 
bill  entitled  An  act  granting  to  Reuben  Harmon  Jun.  Esqf :  a  right  of 
coining  copper  and  regulating  the  same,  being  concurred  by  Council,  was 
read,  and  passed  into  a  law  of  the  State." 

In  accordance  with  the  clause  in  the  bill  requiring  bonds  from  Harmon 
before  the  commencement  of  coining,  this  Bond  was  given:  — 

"  Know  all  men  by  these  Presents  that  we  Reuben  Harmon  JiniT  Esq^  & 
David  Sheldon  of  Rupert,  Abi'aham  Underbill  &  Benjamin  Baldwin  of  Dor- 
set all  in  the  County  of  Bennington  &  State  of  Vermont  are  Held  &  firmly 
Bound  in  the  Penal  sum  of  Five  Thousand  Pounds  L.  M.y,  to  Ira  Allen 
EsqT  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  Vermont  &  his  successor  in  said  office  the 
sd.  Harmon  as  Principle  &  the  sd  Sheldon,  Underbill  &  Baldwin  as  sureties 
to  which  Payment  well  &  Tiuly  to  be  done  we  Bind  ourselves  our  Heires 
Executors  &  Administrators  firm  by  these  Presents. 

"In  Testimony  whereof  we  have  hei'eiuito  set  our  Hands  &  Seals  this 
16"!  day  of  June  1785  in  Presents  of 

"The  Condition  of  this  Bond  is  such  that  the  above  Bound  Reuben 
Harmon  as  Principle  &  the  sd  Sheldon  Underbill  &  Baldwin  as  Sureties  Be 


VERMONT.  179 

Responciblc  to  sd  Treasurer  that  sd  Harmon  will  agreeable  to  an  act  Intitled 
'an  Act  Granting-  to  Reuben  Harmon  Juf  E-scjl"  a  Right  of  Coining  Copper 
&  Regulating  the  same'  that  all  tiie  Coppers  by  sd.  Haiiuou  Coined  shall  be 
in  Pieces  of  one  third  of  an  ounce  troy  wait  each  &  that  the  same  shall  be 
made  of  good  &  genuine  metal  — 

"Provided  sd  Harmon  should  at  any  time  Coine  Coppers  of  Wait  Mettle 
or  Motto's  Contarary  to  said  Act  then  this  Jiond  is  forfit  — 

"  In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  Respective  Hands  &  Seals 
in  Presents  of — 

/  Reuben  Harmon,  Junr         1 1..-.  | 

N.  Chipinan  j  David   Sheldon  [l.s.] 

John  Strong  )  Abi-aham   Underbill  [l.s.] 

[  Benj :  Baldwin  [l.s.]  " 

Finding  that  their  coins  were  required  to  contain  more  copper  tiian  those 
current  in  the  "  United  States  of  America,"  an  act  was  soon  passed  reducing 
the  weight,  to  bring  them  more  nearly  to  the  standard  there  adopted  : 

"  An  Act  in  Addition  to  and  Alteration  of  an  Act  entitled  '  an  Act  grant- 
ing to  Reuben  Harmon  •Jun!'  Esq!'  a  right  of  Coining  Copper  and  regulating 
the  same.' 

"AVhereas,  an  Act  was  i)assed  by  this  Assembly  at  their  session  in  June 
last  granting  to  Reuben  Harmon  Esq!'  Jun''  of  Ruport  in  the  County  of  Ben- 
nington the  privilege  of  coining  Copper  for  the  time  therein  Specified  in 
pieces  of  one  thii'd  of  an  ounce  each,  which  is  found  to  exceed  in  w^eight  the 
Copper  Coins  used  in  the  United  States  of  America,  Therefore 

"Be  it  enacted  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  l)y  the  Representatives  of  the 
freemen  of  the  State  of  Vermont  in  General  Assembly  met,  and  by  the  au- 
tliority  of  the  same  ;  that  all  Coppers  coined  by  the  said  Reuben  Hermon  Ks(|. 
shall  be  of  genuine  Cop])er  in  pieces  weighing  not  less  than  four  penny- 
weight fifteen  grains  each  and  so  miicli  of  the  aforesaid  act  as  regulates  the 
weight  of  said  Coins,  is  herel)y  repealed  —  And  tlu'  Treasurer  is  directed  to 
deliver  up  the  bond  entered  into  by  said  Hermon  in  pursuance  of  said  Act  on 
his  the  said  Harmon  entering  into  another  Bond  with  Siu'eties,  in  the  same 
sum  conditioned  for  making  said  Coin  agreeal)le  to  the  regidations  in  this  Act." 

This  Act  was  passed  on  the  27tli  of  ( )ctober,  ITS;!.  We  liiwl  no  proof 
that  tlie  bond  was  changed  in  accordance  with  its  terms. 


180 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


The  coins  issued  by  Harmon  under  this  act  were  of  the  following  descrip- 
tions, and  constitute  the  first  type  of  the  Vermont  coins: 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  sun  rising  from  behind  a  range  of  wooded  mountains,  a 
plough  in  the  field  beneath. 

Legend,  —  vermonts  .  res.  publica  •  1785  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  eye  within  a  small  circle,  fi-om  which  issue  twenty-six  rays, 
thirteen  long,  their  points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars,  and  thirteen 
short,  between  the  stars  and  the  centre. 

Legend,  —  stella  .  quarta  .  decima  • 

Borders  beaded  or  milled,  edge  plain  ;    size,  17  ;    weight.  111  grains. 

[Phitc  IV,  Xo.  18,  .-viid  Fi.u^  -29.] 


Of  this  there  are  two  pairs  of  dies  :  on  one,  one  ray  of  the  sun  points 
at  the  period  after  res  ;  in  the  other,  a  rarer  variety,  it  points  to  the  right  of 
the  period.  On  the  last  die  a  short  dash  or  break  usually  follows  the  figure 
5,  as  shown  in  the  cut.     A  slight  break  follows  decima,  on  its  reverse. 

The  reverses  may  be  distinguished  by  the  ray  nearest  the  letter  Q,  which 
in  the  first  variety  points  at  Q,  and  on  the  second,  more  towards  the  u. 

The    next    variety   has   the    legend,    vermontis  .    res  .    publica  •  1785  • 
It  has  no  marked    peculiarity  beyond    the    legend    itself.      One    ray  upon    the 
i*everse  points  at  the  left  part  of  the  Q. 

Size,  17  ;  weight,  117  grains. 

[Plate  IV,  No.  19,  auil  Fig.  oO.] 


VEKMOXT. 


181 


Each  of  the  pieces  just  descriljed  has  eight  trees  on  the  obverse,  and 
the  i-ays   ii])ou  the  reverses  are  all  cuneiform,  or  wedge-shaped. 

From  another  i)air  of  dies  we  have  seen  l)ut  one  impression,  which  is 
owned  hy  J.  Carson  Brevoort.  of  Brooklyn.  It  is  too  much  worn  to  i-ei)resent 
satisfactorily.  The  legend  on  tlie  obverse  encircles  the  device  and  date  ;  the 
hills  ap])car  to  bi'  tliickly  wooded,  the  snn  rises  at  the  left  —  on  all  othei-s  it 
is  at  the  right  —  and  a  line  separates  the  date  from  the  device.  Instead  of 
an  eye  in  the  centre  of  the  reverse,  this  has  the  face  of  a  snn  :  the  rays  are 
single    ])ointed,  and    ccmiposed  of  fine    lines  of  unequal    length.     Legends,  — 

VKimONTIS    EES    PUHLHA     and      STKLLA    QUARTA    D?:CIMA. 

We  have  seen  two  specimens,  ap[)ai-ently  counterfeits  of  that  last  described, 
but  cast,  and  of  very  ruile  workmanship. 


178G. 

The  third  variety  of  this  type  has   the   legend,   vermois^tensium  •  res 
PUiiLKJA   ■  17S(;  •  and  that  of  the  reverse,  stella  •  quarta  .   decima  • 
Size,  17  ;  weight,  123  grains. 

|i'i;it."  IV,  No.  -ji),  aihi  Ki.u-.  :n.] 


This  variety  is  found  with  three  obverse  dies,  and  two  of  the  reverse. 
Of  these,  one  has  seven  ti-ees,  and  the  u  of  i'UBLICA  double-cut  below  ; 
another,  nine  trees,  tlie  i,  double-cut  at  the  left,  and  the  date  close  under  the 
plonghsiiare  ;  the  third  has  nini;  trees,  and  the  figui'e  1  of  date  double-cut  at 
the  right,  but  much  to  left  of  ploughshare.  The  reverses  both  have  thirteen 
rays  of  many  fine  lines  ;  one  ray  of  that  found  with  the  first  obverse,  ])ointing 
just  right  of  Q,  on  the  other,  found  witii  the  two  other  obvei'ses,  it  points  full 
to  left  ol'  that  letter,  and   tlie   legend    I'eads,  —  QUARTA  ••  DEOIMA  •   STELLA   • 

Before  the  expiration  ol"  tlu'  light  iirst  granted  him,  Harmon  sent  in  a 
petition   for  an  extension  of  his  privilege,  which   we  nv\{   present: 


182  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

"  To    the  Honorable  General    Assembly  of  the  State  of  Vermont  now  setting 

at  Rntland  — 

"  The  Petition  of  Renben  Harmon  J'',  of  Rupert  in  the  county  of  Ben- 
nington humbly  sheweth  —  that  the  legislature  of  this  State  did  at  their  Session 
held  at  I^orwich  in  June  17S5  gi-ant  him  the  sole  i-ight  of  coining  Copper 
within  this  State  for  the  term  of  two  years  —  that  he  your  Petitioner  has 
been  at  a  very  great  expence  in  erecting  works  and  procuring  a  quantity  of 
genuine  copper  for  that  Purpose  —  that  said  Term  is  nearly  expired  —  and  that 
your  Petitioner,  by  reason  of  the  shortness  of  said  Term,  will  be  unable  to 
indemnify  himself  for  said  expences  —  farther  your  Petitioner  conceives  that 
in  the  present  scarcit_y  of  a  circulating  medium  the  coining  of  coppers  within 
this  State  maybe  vovy  advantageous  to  the  Public —  Your  Petitioner  there- 
fore prays  this  Honoraljle  assembly  to  gi-ant  him  the  })riviledge  of  coining 
cojiper  for  a  farther  term  of  ten  years  or  such  other  Term  and  undei-  such 
regulations  and  restrictions  as  to  your  Honours  in  your  wisdom  shall  seem 
meet —  And  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

"Rutland,  Ocf.  23,  1786.  Reuben  Harmon,  Junl  " 

"In  General  Assembly,  Oct.  23^  178G 
"  The    above    petition  was   read    and  i-efered  to  a  Committee  of  three  to 
join  a   Committee    from   the    Council    to    take    the    same    under    consideration 
state    lacts    and    make    report —     The    members    chosen,    Mi-.    Chipman,    Mr. 
Bridgman  &  Mr.  Goodrich" 

Mr.  Walbridge  was  joined  to  this  Committee  by  the  Council. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  last  appointed  was  as  follows  : 
"Rutland,  Oct^  21,  1786  — 

"  To  the  General  Assembly  now  sitting  — 

"Your  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration  of  the  within 
Petition  beg  leave  to  repoi't  as  their  opinion  that  the  sole  priviledge  of  coining 
copper  be  granted  to  the  said  Reuben  Harmon  Jr.  for  the  Term  of  eight  years 
from  the  experation  of  the  former  grant  under  the  following  regulations  viz  — 
that  he  procure  Ijond  to  the  Treasiu-er  as  is  provided  in  the  former  grant  — 
that  the  first  three  years  the  said  Ruben  shall  enjoy  the  said  priviledge  free 
that  for  the  remaining  five  years  he  shall  pay  two  &  one  half  pr.  cent  to  the 
State  on  all  the  coppers  he  shall  coin  and  give  security  for  the  payment  — 
that  the  device  be  in  future  a  head  on  one  side  Avith  the  motto    'Auctoritate 


VEKMONT.  183 

Vermontensium'  abridged  —  on  the  reverse  a  woman  I'epresenting  the  Genius 
of  America  with  the  Letters  ixde-et  .  lib.  foi-  Independance  and  Liberty  — 
All  which  is  Ilumljly  submitted  ])y 

EbenT  Walbridge   for  Committee  " 

"In  General  Assembly,  Oct.  24"',  1786  The  above  report  was  read  and 
accepted  and  leave  given  to  the  petitioner  to  bring  in  a  bill  accordingly  — 

attest     Ros.  Hopkins,  Clerk." 

The  following  bill  was  then  presented,  and  passed  the  same  da}'  : 
"  An  Act  granting  to  Reuben  Harmon  Jnnr  Esqf  the  right  of  coining  copper 
within  this  State,  for  a  farther  term  of  eiglit  years. 

"Whereas,  the  Legislature  of  this  State  did,  at  their  sessions  at  Norwich, 
in  June  1785,  grant  to  Reuben  Harmon  Junf  Esqf  of  Ruport,  in  the  County 
of  Bennington,  the  exclusive  right  of  coining  co])pcr  within  this  State,  for  the 
term  of  two  years  from  the  first  day  of  July  in  tlu'  aforesaid  year  of  our 
Lord  1785  :  And  whereas,  the  said  Reuben  has,  by  his  Petition  represented 
to  this  assembly  that  he  has  been  at  great  expence  in  erecting  woiks  and 
procuring  a  quantity  of  Copper  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  said  business 
of  coining,  and  that,  by  reason  of  the  shortness  of  said  tei-m,  he  will  be  un- 
able to  idemnif}^  himself  for  his  said  Expence  ;  and  pi-aying  this  Assembly 
to  grant  him  said  privilidge  of  coining  Copper  for  a  longer  term  ;  and  this 
Assembly  willing  to  encourage  an  undertaking  that  i)romises  a  considerable 
public  utility,  Therefore 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Vermont  tliat 
there  be  and  hereby  is  granted  and  confirmed  to  the  said  Reubes  Harmon 
JunT  EsqT  the  exclusive  right  of  coining  copper  within  this  State.  (ni-  a  far- 
ther term  of  eight  years  from  the  iirst  day  of  July  in  the  year  ol'  our  Lord 
1787  ;  and  that  all  coi)per  by  him  coined,  shall  he  in  picci's  weighing  not 
less  than  four  penny  weight,  fifteen  grains  eacli  ;  and  the  device  for  all  cuii- 
pers  b\  liiiu  hereafter  coined  shall  ln',  on  ihc  one  side,  a  head  with  the  motto 
auctoritate  V'ermontensium,  abridged  —  on  the  reverse,  a  woman,  with  the  Ut- 
ters, ikdk:   kt:  lib:  —  for  Independence  and  Liberty. 

"And  l)e  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid;  that  the  sniil 
Reuben  shall  have  and  enjoy  the  aforesaid  priviledge  of  coining  coppers  within 
this  State  free  irom  any  (hily  to  this  stale,  as  a  compensation  tiin-clor,  for  tlie 
full   term  of  three  ve:vrs    from   tlic   Iirst    day   of  .liih,   in   tiic   w.w  of  oiii-    |,oid 


184  THE    EARLY   COIXS   OF    AMERICA. 

1787-;  and  that  from  and  after  the  expiration  of  the  said  thi-ee  years,  he  the  said 
Reuben  shall  pay  for  the  use  of  this  State,  two  and  one  half  per  cent,  of  all 
the  copper  he  shall  coin  for  and  during  the  remainder  of  the  aforesaid  term 
of  eight  years  :  and  the  said  Reuben,  before  he  take  any  benefit  of  this  act, 
shall  enter  into  a  bond  of  five  —  thousand  pounds,  to  the  Treasurer  of  this 
State,  with  two  or  more  good  and  sufficient  sureties,  Fi'eeholders  of  this  State, 
conditioned  that  all  the  copper  by  him  coined  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  of  full 
weight,  as  specified  in  this  act,  and  of  genuine  metal,  and  that  from  and  after 
the  expiration  of  the  aforesaid  three  years,  he  will  well  and  ti'uly  I'ender  an 
account  of  the  sums  by  him  coined  by  virtue  of  this  grant,  and  pay  over  all 
such  sums  as  shall,  on  account  of  said  coinage,  become  due  to  this  State,  at 
such  times  and  in  such  mannei-,  as  this  or  a  future  assembly  shall  direct." 

In  accordance  with  the  last  act,  this  Bond  was  given  : 
"  Know  all  Men  by  these  Presents  that  we  Reuben  Harmon  of  Ruj)ert  in  the 
County  of  Bennington  &  State  of  Vermont  as  Principle  &  Xathaniel  Chip- 
man  of  Tinmonth  and  Lemuel  Chipman  of  Pawlet  both  of  the  County  of  Rut- 
land and  State  aforesaid  Esquires  as  sureties  Are  held  and  firmly  bound  unto 
Samuel  Mattox  Esquire  Treasurer  of  said  State  of  Vermont  &  his  successors 
in  said  office  in  the  full  simi  of  Five  Thousand  pounds  Lawful  Money  to  be 
paid  to  the  said  Samuel  or  his  successors  in  said  office  of  Treasurer. 

"  For  the  True  payment  whereof  we  Bind  ourselves  Heirs  &  Assigns 
Firmly  by  these  Presents  Li  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands 
and  seals  23''  Day  of  Feb^  A.  D.  1787  — 

"  The  Contlitions  of  the  above  Obligation  is  such  that  whereas  the  above 
Bounden  Reuben  Did  on  the  24*''  of  Oct"!  178(3  obtain  Licence  from  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  to  Coin  Copper  under  Certain  Reg- 
ulations &  Restrictions  which  are  Particularly  set  forth  in  a  Certain  Act 
Granting  Licence  to  the  said  Reuben  as  aforesaid  on  the  above  24""  of  Oc- 
tober now  if  the  said  Reuben  shall  strictly  and  Punctually  attend  to  all  the 
Rules  Regulations  Direction  &  Restrictions  or  Limitations  which  are  set  forth 
or  Injoined  in  said  Act  then  this  obligation  to  be  Void  otherwis  to  remain 
in  full  force  &  Virtue. 

"  Signed,  Sealed  &  Delivered  in  presence  of 

John  A.  Graham  i  ^^"^^"  Harmon  [l.s.] 

David  Russell  ^^^lal  Chipman  [l.s.] 

(  Lem.  Chipman  [l.s.]  " 


VERMONT. 


185 


The  Legislature  having  by  the  terms  of  the  last  grant  designated  new 
drvifes  and  legends  to  be  placed  upon  the  coins,  those  next  issued  constitute 
another  type,  of  which  also  there  are  sevei-al   varieties. 

TYPE  No.  2.     OBVERSE. 

Device, — A  liead,  on  some  facing  to  the  right,  on  othei's  to  the  left. 
Legend, — verhon  auctori  or  auctori  vermon 

REVERSE. 

Device, — The  goddess  of  liberty,  seated,  facing  left,  willi  olive  l)i'anch  and 


staff. 


Legend, — inde  et  lib 

In  exergue,— The  date,  — 1786     1787     or     1788 

Borders  serrated,  edges  plain. 

TAJ5LE8    OF    VARIETIES    OF    ^•El{iMOJSIT    COINS. 


OBVERSE. 

1786. 

REVERSE 

Xo.  Facing. 

Legends  ami  runctuation. 

Itarity 

Xo.  of 
;  Dies. 

With 
Rev. 

C 

No. 

Legends  ai 

d  Punctuation. 

,      .       So.  of 
Uanty.  ^. 

Dies. 

With 
ObT. 

1    Right. 

ATTCTORI :         VERMON  : 

R' 

1 

A 

IXDE 

••       ETLIB 

R'          1 

2 

2     Left. 

vi;i;m<)\:       .vrcroKi : 

R' 

1 

A 

E 

INDE  : 

:•:      ETTJI5  : 

IV         1 

3 

3      do. 

VERMoX:-        AlCTOl!! 

R" 

1 

IS 

(' 

INDE  . 

•:       E'P  :  LIB  : 

R^         1 

1 

OBVERSE. 

1787. 

REVERSE. 

No. 

FHCing. 

Legends  and  runctuation. 

Rarity. 

No.  ofi  With 
Dies.     Rev.  ^ 

No. 

Legends  and  Punctuation. 

Itarily. 

No.  of    With 
Dies.     Obv. 

r 

Right. 

VERMON           AUCTORI 

c 

2 

A,  C 

A 

INDE              ET      LIB 

c 

1         1.  2 

2 

do. 

VERMON.          AirCTORI. 

c 

1 

A 

B 

INDE::-:       KT      Ml!: 

!!■ 

1          S 

3 

Left. 

VE1;M()N  :•        AlCTOl!! 

R« 

1 

B 

C 

BKITAN         MA- 

C 

1          1 

OBVERSE. 

1788. 

REVERSE. 

No. 

Facing. 

Legends  and  Punctuation. 

Rarity. 

No.  of 
Dies. 

With 
Rov. 

No. 

Legends  and  Punctuation. 

Rarity. 

No.  of 
Dies. 

With 
Obv. 

1 

Iliu'lit. 

VERMON           AUCTORI 

R= 

3 

A,  D 

A 

INDE              ET      1. 11$ 

C 

6 

1,2,3 

2 

do. 

VIIK.MON-          ArcTOKI- 

C 

2 

A 

B 

INDE  X           ET  .   1,1  r.x 

It' 

1 

3,5,0 

•J 

.10. 

VEItMOXx          AUCTORI  x 

R^ 

1 

A,  B 

C 

INDE*ET              LIB» 

\V 

1 

4 

4 

do. 

VERMON.         AUCTOKU 

R^ 

1 

C 

D 

»ET     LII!*         .INDE 

R" 

1 

1 

5 

do. 

VERMON  ♦      ♦Al(T()KI 

R» 

1 

li 

« 

do. 

♦  VERMON*      *  AUCTORI* 

JV 

1 

1! 

1 

186 


THE    EARLY   COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


In  size  these  coins  range  from  16  to  17,  the  heavier  specimens  varying  in 
weight  from  120,  to  141  grains,  and  by  far  the  hxrger  portion  of  tliem,  when 
but  Httle  worn,  exceeding  the  stipulated  weight  of  111  grains. 

[Plato  V,  Nos.   1,  2,  3  an.l  4,  aii.l   Figs.  32,  33,  34,  and  S^.\ 

No.  1,  of  1786,  is  known  as  the  "baby  head."  See  Fig.  32.  Nos.  2  and 
3  have  heads  much  like  the  common  varieties  of  the  Connecticut  cents.  For 
No.  2  see  Plate  Y,  No.  1.  Fig.  33  represents  its  obverse  only. 

There  is  little  peculiarity  to  be  noted  in  the  coins  of  1787,  except  in  No. 
3,  the  obverse  of  which  is  from  the  same  die  with  No.  3  of  1786.  Its  reverse 
has  a  break  nearly  obliterating  the  date.  For  No.  2  see  Plate  V,  No.  2,  and 
Fig.  34. 

The  coins  of  1788  are  also  much  alike,  with  the  exception  of  those  punc- 
tuated with  stars,  most  of  which  are  quite  rare.     For  No.  2  see  Fig.  35. 

We  have  seen  one  specimen  of  No.  4  in  brass.     Plate  Y,  No.  3. 

Reverse  B,  of  1788,  is  found  with  one  of  the  Connecticut  obverses  of 
1787.     See  Plate  Y,  Nos.  4  and  24. 

A  very  rare  piece,  the  origin  of  which  is  unknown  to  us,  has  for  Its 
obverse  a  die  similar  to  the  more  common  dies  of  this  mint,  but  with  I'everse, 

Device, —  The  goddess  of  liberty,  seated,  facing  right,  with  scales  of  justice 
extended  in  her  left  hand  ;    the  staff,  with  liberty  cap  and  flag,  in  her  right. 

Legend,  —  immune  Columbia  • 

In  exergue,  —  178.5  . 


This   piece  may  have   been   produced   by  muling  a  discarded  die  of  the 
Yermont  mint,  with  the  Immune  Columbia.     It  is  accurately  represented  above. 


PLATE    V. 


:ii;i,iotvim;    i-atknt. 


VERMONT.  187 

The  coins  of  this  mint,  and,  in  fact,  those  of  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  other 
State  mints,  are  frequently  found  struck  upon  other  coins,  —  most  connnonlv 
British  halfpence,  though  frequently  Xova  Constellatios,  or  coins  of  some  other 
State,  producing  curious  combinations  of  letters  Avithout  adding  value  to  the 
specimens.     Upon  some  of  these,  the  legends  and  dates  of  both  dies  appear. 

They  are  also  occasionally  found  incused,  as  if  one  coin  being  retained  in 
the  die  after  striking,  was,  by  the  next  motion  of  the  screw,  forced  into  the  plan- 
chet  placed  for  striking  another. 

Another  feature,  rarely  seen,  is,  that  some  pieces  are  found  bearing  ajjou 
both  sides  of  a  solid  planchet,  impressions  from  the  same  die:  this  is  proliably 
caused  by  the  coin  last  struck  becoming  by  some  means  turned  over  upon  the 
planchet  next  to  be  struck;  thus  the  planchet  would  protect  it  from  one  die, 
becoming  itself  incused,  while  the  other  die  would  impress  the  other  side  of  the 
planchet  upon  which  it  had  before  acted. 

A  piece  in  the  cabinet  of  the  writer,  has  upon  each  side  an  impression 
of  the  "  Vermontis  "  obverse,  one  side  having  in  addition  an  incused  impression 
from  the  reverse  of  one  of  the  same  coins. 

Double  impressions  from  the  same  dies  will  sometimes  extend  or  contract  a 
letter  or  a  word,  thus  changing  a  v  to  a  w,  causing  an  k  to  resemble  a  k,  or 
creating  a  "  Deima,"  a  "  Coonnec,"  etc. :  no  observing  collector  will  readily  be 
deceived  by  these. 

We  have  been  favored  by  Chas.  I.  Bushnell,  Esq.,  of  J«3'cw  York,  with 
extracts  fi-om  his  correspondence  upon  the  Vei-mont  coinage,  which  we  next 
present  : 

Extract  from  ,i   IcitiT  trmii   I!.   H.    UmII,  of   Troy,  to  Charles    I.    liuslincll  of    \c\v    York  City, 

(hito.l   .M;ircli  3il,   1855. 

"Reuben  Harmon,  Jr.,  came  from  Suffield,  Conn.,  in  company  witli  his 
father,  Keuben  Harmon,  Senr.,  about  the  year  17G8,  and  settled  in  the  Xorth 
East  part  of  Rupert,  Vt.  He  was  a  man  of  some  note  and  influence  while 
there.  At  a  nuoting  of  tlu;  inhabitants  of  the  N.  H.  Grants,  held  at  Dor- 
set, Sept.  25,  177(),  initiatory  to  their  Declaration  of  Independence,  Mr. 
Reuben  Harmon,  (probably  Jr.,)  was  one  of  the  representatives  from  Rupert. 
He  was  representative  in  the  Vermont  Legislature  from  Rupert  in  1780,  was 
justice  of  the  peace  from  1780-90,  and  held  several  minor  ollices.  In  the 
yeai-  1790  or  thereabouts,  he  left  Rupert,  for  that  part  of  the  State  ol'  Ohio 
called  New  Connecticut,  and  there  died  long  since. 


188  THE    EARLY   COFNTS   OF   AMERICA. 

"  His  Mint  House  was  located  near  the  noith-east  corner  of  Rupert,  a  little 
east  of  the  main  road  leading  from  Dorset  to  Pawlet,  on  a  small  stream  of 
water  called  Millbrook,  which  empties  into  Pawlet  Kiver.  It  was  a  small 
building,  about  16  by  18  feet,  made  of  rough  materials,  sided  with  unplaned 
and  unpainted  boards.  It  is  still  standing,  but  its  location  and  uses  are 
entirely  different  from  what  they  were  originally.  Its  situation  at  present  is 
on  the  border  of  the  adjoining  toAvn  of  Pawlet  whither  it  was  long  since 
removed,  and  what  was  once  a  coin  house  is  now  a  corn  house. 

"  Colonel  William  Cooley,  who  had  worked  at  the  goldsmith's  trade  in  the 
city  of  l!^ew  York,  and  who  afterwards  removed  to  Rupert,  made  the  dies 
and   assisted   in   striking   the   coin." 

From  H.  H.  Hall  to  Charles  I.   Bushiiell,  dated  .July  18th,   1855.      [The  information  contained 
in  this  extract  was  obtained  by  him  from  Abel  Buel  Moore,  a  grandson  of  Abel  Biiel.] 

"  The  Sun  dial,  or  '  Mind  your  business '  copper  coin,  common  in  New 
England  at  the  close  of  the  last  and  at  the  commencement  of  the  present 
century  was  first  manufactured  by  Abel  Buel  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  the 
original  dies  having  been  designed  and  cut  by  hmiself.  Not  long  after  this, 
his  son  William  Buel,  removed  the  manufactory  to  the  town  of  Rupert, 
Bennington  Co.,  Vt.,  and  in  connection  with  a  Mr.  Harmon  established  the 
mint-house  on  what  is  known  as  Mill  Brook.  William  had  taken  with  him 
the  original  dies  used  by  his  father  at  New  Haven,  and  continued  at  Rupeit 
the  coinage  of  the  coppers  above  referred  to,  until  the  coin  had  depreciated 
so  much  in  value  as  to  be  worthless  or  nearly  so,  for  circulation.  The 
remains  of  the  dam  which  rendered  the  waters  of  Mill  Brook  eligible,  are 
still  to  be  seen,  and  pieces  of  copper  and  specimens  of  the  old  coin  are  still 
occasionally  picked  up  on  the  site  of  the  old  mill  and  in  the  brook  below.' 

"  William  Buel  fled  from  New  Haven  and   went   to  Vermont  under   the 


1  The  statement  concerning  the  "  Sun  dial  "  coins,  contained  in  the  above  letter,  has  been 
doubted,  as  the  law  under  authority  of  which  Harmon  acted,  strictly  prohibited  him,  under 
severe  penalties,  from  striking  any  coin,  other  than  that  authorized  and  described  therein,  or 
that  designated  by  "  the  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose."  Still  it  may  be  that  his 
allowing  Buel  to  strike  coins  authorized  by  the  United  States,  was  not  considered  an  infraction 
of  the  law,  causing  the  forfeiture  of  his  bond.  If  it  be  true  that  many  of  these  coins  have 
been  found  in  that  locality,  it  appears  strongly  to  favor  the  opinion  that  some  part  of  this  coinage 
was  performed  at  this  mint,  though  it  is  unlikely  that  any  large  proportion  of  it  emanated 
from  this  source. 


VEHMONT.  189 

following  circumstances.  Having  occasion  to  use  Aquafortis,  he  had  ])i-ocured 
a  quantity  in  a  jug  from  a  druggist  and  was  returning  to  his  residence, 
when  he  was  accosted  by  some  Indians  who  insisted  ujjon  chinking  from 
the  jug  wliat  they  assumed  to  be  rum.  He  told  them  that  he  had  no  rum, 
but  tliat  liis  jug  contained  Aquafortis,  and  tliat  it  would  poison  them.  The 
Indians  supposing  this  a  mere  pretence,  took  the  jug  from  liim,  and  one 
of  them  having  swallowed  a  jjortion  of  its  contents,  died  soon  alter  from  the 
effects.  liuel  was  then  accused  of  killing  the  Indian  who  had  fallen  by  his 
own  rashness,  and  in  accordance  Avith  their  notions  of  juntice  his  savage 
companions  claimed  that  the  life  of  the  jug-owner  was  forfeit  and  sought 
every  opportunity  to  take  it.  To  escape  their  animosity  Buel  sought 
refuge,  privately,  in  the  then  newly  settled,  and  unacknowledged  State  of 
Vermont.  Enveloped  with  this,  you  will  find  a  letter  from  Julian  Harmon, 
grandson  of  Reuben  Harmon,  Jr.  *  *  *  *  Some  of  the  statements  which 
it  contains  are  mixed,  yet  I  think,  with  the  knowledge  you  already  are  in 
possession  of,  on  the  subject,  you  will  understand  them.  I  have  heard 
many  stories  about  Abel  Buel,  think  I  have  seen  them  in  print.  You  are 
probably  aware  of  his  genius  as  a  mechanic,  of  his  skill  in  invention,  of  his 
pecuniary  troubles,  and  of  his  successful  imitation  of  the  Continental  Bills 
which  little  freak  was  not  the  pleasantest  in  which  he  was  engaged." 

Copy  of  .luliaii   Hariiujii's  k'tttT,   above  ict'eneil   to:  — 

"  Warren,  O.,  June  14,  1855. 
"  Sir, 

"Youi-  letter  of  April  27th  was  duly  received,  and  an  answer  was 
designed  at  once,  but  has  thus  far  been  neglected.  I  write  you  on  behalf 
of  my  father  to  whom  yoiu-  letter  was  addressed.  He  gives  me  answers 
to  your  questions  as  follows.  '  Does  not  know  what  year  precisely,  but 
thinks  about  17()(),  his  father  came  to  Vt.,  in  company  with  his  father,  from 
Sandislield,  Mass.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  several  years  and  a  member 
of  the  Assembly.  No  likeness  extant  to  his  knowledge.  Has  no  copy  of 
the  act  referred  to.  Has  none  of  the  coins  or  dies.  Thinks  Wm.  Buel  of 
N.  Haven,  cut  the  dies.  The  Mint  House  stood  on  I'illet  Rivei",  three  rods 
from  his  father's  house — story  &  a  half  house,  not  painted — a  furnace  in 
one  end  for  melting  copper  &  rolling  the  bars,  «fec. ;  in  the  other  (west)  end, 
machinery  for  stamping,  —  in   the  centre  that  for  cutting  &c.     The  stamping 


190  THE   EARLY    COINS    OP   AMERICA.^ 

was  done  by  means  of  an  iron  screw  attached  to  heavy  timbei's  above,  & 
moved  by  hand  through  the  aid  of  ropes.  60  per  minute  could  he  stamped, 
althongh  30  per  minnte  was  the  usual  numl:)er.  Wm.  Buel  assisted  in 
striking  the  coins.  8  persons  were  required  for  the  purpose,  one  to  place 
the  copper,  and  2  to  swing  the  stamp.  At  first,  the  coins  passed  2  for  a 
penny,  then  4  —  then  8,  when  it  ceased  to  pay  expenses.  The  British  imported 
so  many  of  the  '  Bung  Town  Coppers,'  which  were  of  a  much  lighter  color.' 
My  father.  Dr.  John  B.  Harmon,  also  thinks  there  was  a  i)lough  upon  one 
side  of  the  coins  of  his  father,  who  removed  to  Ohio  in  1800,  &  engaged 
in  making  salt,  at  the  ^Salt  Spring  Tract,'  in  Weathersfield  Township,  Trum- 
bull Co.,  which  he  continued  to  his  death,  Oct.  29".',  180(3,  in  his  56"*  year. 
Excuse  my  delay  in  this  reply.  I  regret  not  being  able  to  give  fuller 
answers  to  your  enquiries.  I  add  that  Reuben  Harmon,  Jr.,  kept  a  stoi'c  also, 
in  connection  with  his  other  business  in  Yt.         Yours  Truly, 

"Julian  Harmon." 

B.   11.   II:ill  to  t'lKirles  I.  r.usluiell,  dutcHl  .Tinu-  4tli,  18.56. 

"  On  the  north  side  of  Mill  Brook  the  '  old  Copper  House '  was  first 
erected.  *  *  *  *  From  this  location,  in  the  town  of  Rupert,  the  'Mint 
House '  Avas  afterwards  removed  to  and  placed  on  the  eastern  bank  of  Pawlet 
River,  in  the  same  town.  Here  also  it  was  used  for  minting  purposes.  When 
the  manufacture  of  coins  was  abolished,  it  was  allowed  to  remain  on  Pawlet 
River  for  several  years,  but  we  could  not  learn  to  what  uses  it  was  put. 
Its  third  removal  was  to  a  spot  north  of  the  hoiise  of  John  Hai-wood,  Esq., 
in  the  town  of  Rupert,  on  the  east  side  of  the  main  road.  While  here  it 
was  occupied  as  a  residence  by  a  family  named  Goff.  It  was  again  removed 
from  its  third  location  to  a  site  nearly  opposite,  where  it  remained  until  its 
final  journey  which  took  place  many  years  ago.  This  placed  it  on  the 
farm  of  William  Phelps  about  a  mile  north  of  John  Harwood's  residence 
in  '  the  edge '  of  the  town  of  Pawlet.  Here  it  stood  until  last  winter,  when 
it    was    blown    down." 

In  1787,  a  manufactory  of  "hardAvare,"  known  as  Machin's  Mills,  was 
cstal^lished  at  J^ew  Grange,  Ulster  County,  now  Newburgh,  jS".  Y.,  the 
principal  purpose  of  which  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  coinage  of  copper. 

This  mint  had  no  legal  comiection  with  that  of  Yermont,  but  its 
managers  had  business  relations  with  the  persons  conducting  the  coinage  of 
that  State,  and  the  little  known  of  its   history  is    so  interwoven  with  that  of 


VKKMONT.  191 

the  coiners  of  the  Vermont  money,  that  we  know  of  no    i)lace    more  apjiro- 
priate  than  this  to  introduce  the  papers  rehiting  to  it. 

Eager  writes,  (History  of  Orange  County,)  "  Orange  Lake  *  *  *  *  was 
also  called  Machen's  Pond.  Captain  Machen  first  opened  the  outk-t  of  the 
pond,  and  erected  a  manufactory  to  make  coppers  for  change  and  circulation. 
The  outlet  comj^oses  a  large  part  of  Chamber's  Creek,  whicli  su])plies  the  New 
Mills  and  other  manufacturing  establishments  with  water.  This  outlet  was 
originally  the  place  where  the  waters  of  the  pond  ran  off  at  high  watei'.  The 
natural  one  is  fuither  west  at  a  place  called  Pine  Point,  and  tlie  stream  fi'om 
the  jxjud  crosses  the  turnpike  just  east  of  Mr.  IS^athaniel  Brewster,  between 
five  and  six  miles  from  Kewburgh. 

"  Capt.  Machen,  we  believe,  was  an  Englishman,  and  came  out  before  the 
Revolution  as  an  officer  m  the  British  service.  During  the  war  he  entered 
the  American  army  as  an  engineer,  and  Avas  em})loyed  by  Congress  in  1777, 
in  erecting  fortifications  in  the  Highlands,  and  in  stretching  the  chain  across 
the  river  at  West  Point.  After  the  war  he  came  and  located  at  the  pond. 
His  operations  there,  as  they  were  conducted  in  secret,  were  looked  upon  at 
that  time  with  suspicion,  as  illegal  and  wi'oug." 

Mr.  Bushnell  supplies  some  interesting  information  relative  to  this  coining 
esta])lishment  which  we  here  introduce:  — 

"  The  Mint  House  at  ^ewburgh,  Ulster  County,  jST.  Y.,  was  situated  on 
the  east  side  of  Machin's  Lake  or  Pond,  about  one  eighth  of  a  mile  distant 
from  the  pond.  The  building  was  erected  in  1784,  by  Thomas  Machin.  and 
was  still  standing  in  1792,  at  which  time  the  rollers,  press  and  cutting  machine 
were  taken  out.  The  coins  were  struck  by  means  of  a  large  bar  loaded  at 
each  end  with  a  i^OO  pound  liall,  with  ropes  attaclied.  Two  men  were  rei|uired 
on  eaeli  side,  makuig  lour  in  all,  to  strike  the  pieces,  besides  a  nuui  to  set 
the  planchets.  The  metal  of  which  the  coins  were  struck,  was  composed  of 
old  brass  cannon  and  mortars,  the  zinc  from  the  eo|)pei-  l)eing  extracted  by 
smelting  in  a  riirnace.  About  sixty  n{'  the  coins  were  struck  a  niinuti'.  The 
sloop  'Kewbin-gh,'  (Cai)t.  Isaac  lielknap, )  eari-ied  for  a  nuinlier  oi'  year>  tlu' 
coining  pi-ess,  as  part  ballast.  The  coins  were  niadi'  by  -lames  F.  AtUn'. 
Many  of  them  boi-e  the  obverse  '<;KOi?(;irs  III."  and  re\ .  'iM>K  irr  i.iit." 
Othei's  hoi'e  liie  ligure  of  a  |ilough  on  one  side.  The  mint  ceased  operations 
in   the  yeai-    17!M." 

It  is  supposed  that  the  coins  here  meiilioncii  as  Iiearing  the  ligure  of  a 
plough,  were  some  of  the    N'eruiont    <-oins   with  thai  device,  and   there  is  strong 


192  THE   KARLT   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

reason  to  believe  that  Atlee,  who  is  said  to  have  made  the  dies  of  all  the 
coins  struck  at  N"ewburgh,  made  dies  for  others  of  the  Vermont  coins. 

The  pieces  with  the  obverse  georgivs  hi.  are  of  two  varieties:  the  head 
upon  the  first  of  these  closely  resembles  that  upon  the  more  common  varieties 
of  the  Vermont  coins;  its  legend  is,  georgivs-  in-  rex  • 

The  reverse  is  from  the  die  represented  on  plate  V,  N'o.  4.  This  die  is 
found  upon  coins  attributed  both  to  Vermont  and  Connecticut. 

The  other,  a  more  common  variety  of  this  piece,  has  a  smaller  head,  and 
the  legend  georgivs     ni.  rex. 

The  reverse  of  this  is  identical  with  that  found  upon  two  pieces  classed 
as  Connecticut  coins.     The  legend  is  inde  *  et  »   lib  * 

We  have  foimd  this  reverse  die  in  its  perfect  condition,  used  with  the 
obverse  just  described:  it  next  appears,  with  cracks  across  i  and  b,  with  an 
♦  AUCTORi.  coNNEC»  face  to  right,  until  this  obverse  die  became  useless  by 
reason  of  a  break;  it  is  again  foiind,  and  in  a  still  more  defective  condition, 
now  having  breaks  in  e  of  et,  at  the  foot  of  the  goddess,  and  a  slight  crack 
at  her  chin,  used  with  the  georgivs  ni.  rex.,  and  lastly,  as  proved  by  the 
extension  of  the  breaks  already  noted,  particularly  that  at  the  foot  of  the 
goddess,  it  is  found  with  obverse  »  auctori.*  •  co^tnec.  •  face  to  left.  Here 
its  endurance  seems  to  have  been  exhausted,  as  the  break  last  mentioned  is 
so  extended  as  to  render  it  probable  that  it  could   have  been  of  little  further 

service. 

It  is  probable,  judging  from  the  facts  just  noted,  that  many  pieces  now 
classed  as  Connecticut  coins,  are  counterfeits  from  this  mint;  and  it  is  not 
unlikely  that  the  vermon  auctori  with  reverse  brita^ojia  -  as  well  as  many 
of  the  counterfeit  halfpence  of  George  III.,  formed  part  of  the  "  hardware " 
manufactured  here. 

The  articles  of  agi-eement  between  the  proprietors  of  Machin's  Mills,  and 
those  between  them  and  the  coiners  at  Eupert,  Vt.,  copies  of  which  have  been 
furnished  us  by  Mr.  Bushnell,  are  contained  in  the  docmnents  next  ensumg. 

These  copies  are  exact,  even  to  their  orthographical  errors. 

This  Indenture  of  six  parts  made  the  eighteenth  day  of  April  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven:  Between  Samuel  Atlee  of  the  City  of  JSTew 
York  of  the  first  part:  James  F.  Atley  of  the  same  place  of  the  second  part: 
David  Brooks  of  the  same  place  of  the  third  part:  James  Grier  of  the  same 


VERMONT.  193 

place  of  the  fourth  part:  James  Giles  of  the  same  place  of  the  fifth  part:  and 
Thomas  Machm  of  the  County  of  Ulster  of  the  sixth  part:  AVitnesseth,  that 
the  said  parties  for  the  affiance,  trust  and  confidence  which  each  of  them  hath, 
and  doth  repose  in  the  other,  have  concluded  and  agreed  to  Ijccome  copartners 
and  joint  traders  together  in  such  trades,  and  merchandizing  as  well  Avithin 
this  State  of  New  York,  as  elsewhere  where  the  said  parties  shall  think  to 
trade  and  merchandize  for  their  most  benefit,  advantage,  and  profit,  and  that 
for,  and  during  the  space  of  seven  years,  to  be  computed  from  the  day  of  the 
date  hereof,  from  thence  next  ensuing  and  fully  to  be  complete,  and  ended, 
there  shall  be  such  joint  trade.  And  to  that  end  and  purpose  the  parties 
shall  add  and  put  together  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  June  next,  a  joint 
stock,  to  be  employed  in,  and  about  the  said  joint  trade;  that  is  to  say  the 
sum  of  three  hundred  pounds  of  current  money  of  New  York;  to  wit  the 
said  Samuel  Atlee  for  his  part  fifty  pounds;  the  said  James  F.  Atlee  for  his 
part  fifty  pounds;  the  said  David  Brooks  for  his  part  fifty  pounds;  the  said 
James  Grier  for  his  part,  fifty  pounds;  the  said  James  Giles  for  his  part  fifty 
pounds;  and  the  said  Thomas  Machin  fifty  pounds  more:  being  the  remainder 
of  the  three  hundred  pounds.  Which  said  stock  shall  l^e  occupied  and 
employed  together  upon  an  account  of  sixths  both  in  profit  and  loss,  the 
whole  in  six  equal  parts  to  be  di\dded;  whereof  the  said  Samuel  Atlee  his 
executors  and  administrators  is,  and  are  to  have  and  bear  for  his  and  their 
parts  one  sixth  part  thereof  l)oth  in  profit  and  loss;  the  said  James  F.  Atlee 
his  executors,  and  administrators  one  sixth  part  thereof,  for  his  and  their  part 
both  in  profit  and  loss ;  the  said  David  Brooks  his  executors  and  administrators, 
one  sixth  part  thereof  for  his  and  their  part  both  in  pofit  and  loss;  the  said 
James  Grier,  his  executors  and  administrators,  one  sixth  part  thereof,  for  his, 
and  their  part  both  in  profit  and  loss,  and  the  said  James  Giles,  his  executors 
and  administrators  another  part  thereof  both  in  profit  and  loss;  and  the  said 
Thomas  Machin  his  executors  and  administrators  the  other  sixth  part  thei'cof 
both  in  i^ofit  and  loss,  for  his  and  their  parts,  according  to  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  thereof  And  the  said  Samuel  Atlee,  and  James  F.  Atlee  being 
possessed  of  certain  implements  for  carrying  on  said  trade,  do  agree  to  lend 
them  to  the  parties  to  these  presents  for  and  dui'ing  the  continuance  of  thcii- 
copartnei'ship  without  any  fee  or  reward  for  the  same.  And  the  said  Thomas 
Machin  being  possessed  of  certain  mills,  doth  hereby  agree  to  let  the  parties 
to  these  presents  have  the  free  use  of  them  for  and  during  \hv  continuance 
of   their   copartnership    (for   the    pui'pose   of    carrying   on    tlu'ir    joint    trade) 


194  THE    EAELT    COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

without  any  fee  or  reward  for  the  same.  And  the  said  David  Brooks,  James 
Grier  and  James  Giles,  do  agree  to  advance  the  further  sum  of  ten  pounds 
each  towards  finishing  and  completing  the  works  for  carrying  on  said  trade 
And  it  is  fnither  agreed  between  the  parties  to  these  presents  that  the  said 
James  Giles  have  the  sole  receiving,  keeping  and  charge  of  all  the  cash  and 
money  during  the  said  copartnership;  and  also  of  the  charge  of  the  WTiting, 
true  keeping  and  custody  of  the  Books  to  be  kept  for  the  said  copartnership. 
And  that  the  said  James  F.  Atlee  and  Thomas  Machin  shall  equally  manage, 
act  and  perform  that  part  of  the  trade  which  concerns  the  manufactory  of 
hard-ware;  and  the  other  joint  business,  is  to  be  equally  acted  and  performed 
by  the  said  Samuel  Atlee,  David  Brooks  and  James  Grier.  And  it  is  further 
agreed  by  and  between  the  parties  to  these  jiresents,  that  they  shall  once 
every  four  months  during  the  said  copartnership;  to  wit,  on  the  first  day  of 
February,  on  the  first  day  of  June,  and  on  the  first  day  of  October  in  every 
year,  come  to  a  plain,  fair  and  perfect  account  and  reckoning  with  each  other 
of,  foi-  and  concerning  all  matters  relating  to  the  said  copartnership;  to  the 
intent  it  may  appear  how,  and  in  what  state  and  condition  they  then  stand 
in  referrence  to  their  said  coj^artnership  and  joint  stock.  And  it  is  agreed 
that  after  the  said  account  is  made  up,  each  of  the  said  parties  shall,  and 
may  deduct,  and  take  out  of  the  jirofits  neat  produce,  and  increase  of  the 
said  trade,  to  and  for  his  own  particular  use,  such  sum  and  snms  of  money 
as  shall  be  mutually  agreed  upon  by  and  between  the  parties  to  these  presents. 
And  it  is  hereby  further  agreed  that  no  advantage  of  survivorship  shall  be 
taken  by  the  said  parties;  but  on  the  death  of  either  of  them  the  executor 
or  executors  or  administrator  of  the  party  so  dying,  gi\ang  seciu'ity  to  the 
survivors  to  indemnify  them,  shall  and  may  receive  the  share  or  interest  in 
the  said  joint  stock  of  the  party  so  dying.  And  it  is  mutually  agreed  by 
and  between  the  said  parties  that  in  case  either  of  them  shall  at  any  time 
during  the  said  term  of  seven  years,  be  minded  to  break  off  and  dissolve  the 
said  copartnership,  they  shall  either  of  them  be  at  liberty  so  to  do,  on  giving 
six  months  notice  to  the  others  of  them  in  writmg  of  such  his  mtention  to 
dissolve  the  same;  and  the  party  giving  such  notice  paying  the  others  of 
them,  one  hundred  pounds  out  of  his  sixth  part  of  the  said  joint  stock  and 
produce  thereof,  as  the  same  shall  be  appraised;  but  the  same  copartnership 
to  exist  as  to  the  other  parties  who  continue  notwithstanding.  And  further 
that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  parties  to  these  presents  or 
any  of  them,  at  his  or  their  will,  and  pleasure,  to  have  liberty,  ingi-ess,  egi-ess 


VERMONT.  195 

and  regress  into,  out  of,  and  ii-oni  the  compting  house,  store  house  or  room 
where  the  same  Thomas  Machin  and  James  F.  Atlee  may  be  employed  in 
the  manufactory  aforesaid;  also  into,  out  of,  or  from  the  dwelling  house  of 
the  said  James  Giles  for  the  time  being,  and  shall  and  may  freely  as  occasion 
may  require  as  well  view  the  works  where  the  said  Thomas  Machin  and 
James  F  Atlee  may  be  employed;  as  also  view  and  peruse  the  said  Books 
of  account,  as  also  all  wares,  goods,  and  merchandizes,  and  other  things 
whatsoever,  relating  to  the  said  joint  trade,  in  the  hands,  custody  or  posession 
of  the  said  Thomas  Machin  and  James  F.  Atlee,  and  James  Giles.  And  it 
is  further  agreed  between  the  parties  to  these  presents  that  if  any  doubt, 
question,  controversy,  or  ditt'erence  shall  happen  or  arise,  between  the  said 
parties  concerning  then*  said  copartnership  the  same  shall  be  detennined  by 
a  majority  of  the  copartners.  And  it  is  further  agreed  by  and  lietween  the 
said  parties  to  these  jiresents,  that  neither  of  the  said  parties  shall  make  any 
charge  for  his  or  their  labour  in  carrying  on  the  designs,  or  transacting, 
doing  or  acting  any  particular  branch  of  the  copartnership;  but  tliat  all  such 
costs  and  charges  and  expenses  as  may  be  disbursed  by  any  of  the  parties 
hereto,  in  carrying  into  execution  the  intent  of  this  copartnership,  other  than 
such  as  have  been  already  mentioned,  shall  be  equally  l^orne  by  the  parties 
to  these  presents.  And  it  is  further  agreed  by  and  between  the  parties  to 
these  presents  that  if  either  or  any  of  them  during  the  continuance  of  their 
copartnership,  should  get  or  procure  in  his  or  their  name,  or  names,  any 
grant  ibr  coinage  of  money  from  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress 
assembled  oi-  from  the  Legislature  of  any  of  the  United  States,  or  shall  enter 
into  a  contract  or  contracts  with  such  other  persons  who  may  have  the 
privilege  of  coinage  from  the  Congress  aforesaid,  or  any  of  the  Legislatures 
aforesaid.  That  then,  and  in  such  case,  the  jjrofits  and  losses  of  such  grant  of 
coinage  or  contract  aforesaid  shall  be  had,  and  borne  and  shared  between  the 
parties  to  these  presents  share  and  share  alike.  And  further  it  is  concluded 
and  agreed  by  and  between  the  said  ])arties  to  these  j)resents  and  tluir  true 
intent  and  meaning  is,  that  none  oC  the  said  parties,  nor  the  executors  or 
administiators  of  any  of  them  shall  at  any  time  or  times,  be  charged,  or 
chargeable,  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  fui-ther  than  for  his  own  poper 
oflfence  or  breach  of  covenant,  and  not  for  the  offence  or  breach  of  covenant 
of  any  other  of  the  said  parties,  his  executors,  or  administrators,  anything 
before  mentioned  notwithstanding.  And  lastly  it  is  agreed  That  none  of  the 
said  parties,  shall  or  will,  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter  make,  do,  commit  or 


Sam'  Atlee 

'l.s." 

James  F.  Atlee 

L.S. 

D.  Brooks 

"l.s.] 

James  Grier 

[l.s. 

James  Giles 

L.S." 

Thomas  Machin 

'l.s.]" 

196  THE    EAKLT   COLN'S    OF    AMERICA. 

omit  to  do  any  act,  deed  or  device  whatsoever,  with  an  intent  to  defet  or 
make  void  in  part,  or  m  all  the  true  mtent,  and  meaning  of  these  presents; 
and  for  the  true  and  punctual  perfonnauce  hereof,  the  parties  to  these  presents 
bind  themselves,  their  heirs,  executors  and  administrators  each  unto  the  other, 
their  executors  and  administrators,  severally  and  not  jointly  in  the  penal  sum 
of  Five  hundred  pounds. 

"In  Witness  whereof,  the  parties  to  these  presents  have  heremito  inter- 
changeably set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above  written 

"Sealed  and  delivered  | 
In  the  presence  of    ) 

"[The  words  'The  Parties'  between  the  10,  &  11, 
line  of  the  first  page,  'and'  between  the  21,  &  22, 
line  of  the  same  page,  'doing  or  acting'  between 
the  28  and  29,  lines  of  the  Second  page,  first  inter- 
lined before  the  executors  hereof] 

A.  Blacklye 
"Jos.  Mcllvaine 

The  second  agreement  is  a  formidable  legal  document,  evidently  intended 
to  cover  an  extensive  business:  the  expectations  of  the  parties  thereto  were 
probably  greatly  disappointed  in  the  extent  of  the  business  transacted  under 
it,  which  there  is  reason  to  believe  was  of  no  great  amount. 

"  This  Indenture  of  ten  parts  made  the  seventh  day  of  June  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  seven  Between 
Eeuben  Harmon  of  the  County  of  Bennington  in  the  State  of  Vermont  EsqT 
of  the  first  part  "William  Coley  of  the  same  place  of  the  second  part,  Elias 
Jackson  of  Litchfield  County  in  the  State  of  Connecticut  of  the  third  part, 
Daniel  Tan  Yoorhis  of  the  City  of  New  York,  Goldsmith,  of  the  fourth 
part,  Samuel  Atlee  of  the  same  place,  Porter  Brewer,  of  the  fifth  i^art,  James 
F.  Atlee  of  the  same  place  of  the  sixth,  David  Brooks  of  the  same  place  of 
the  seventh  part,  James  Grier  of  the  same  place  of  the  eighth  part,  James 
Giles  of  the  same  place,  Atty  at  Law,  of  the  ninth  part,  and  Thomas  Machin 
of  the  County  of  Ulster,  in  the  State  of  ISTew  York,  of  the  tenth  part: 
A^^leras  the  said  Eeuben  Harmon  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
the  State  of  Yermont  is  entitled  to  the  Privilege  of  the  Coinage  of  Copper 
Coin  for  the  use  of  the  said  State,  and  wheras  the  said  Eeuben  Harmon 
subsequent  to  the  Passing  of  the  said  act,  hath  admitted  the  said  William 


VERMONT.  197 

Coley,  Elias  Jackson  and  Daniel  Van  Voorhis  into  a  full  participation  with 
him  in  the  Privileges  of  the  Coinage  of  Copper  for  the  I'lirpose  aforesaid, 
upon  full  and  equal  shares,  share  and  share  alike.  And  whereas  the  said 
Samuel  Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee,  David  Brooks,  James  Gi-ier,  James  Giles  and 
Thomas  Machin  by  their  Articles  of  Copartnership,  bearing  date  the  eighteenth 
day  of  xVpril  One  Thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  seven  have  become 
Copartners  &  Joint  Traders  together  in  such  Trades  and  Merchandize,  and 
in  the  coinage  of  Coppers,  as  shall  be  for  their  most  Benefit  and  Advantage 
and  "Whereas  the  said  Keuben  Harmon,  AVilliam  Coley,  Elias  Jackson,  & 
Daniel  Yan  Voorhis,  have  agreed  to  admit  the  said  Samuel  Atlee,  James  F. 
Atlee,  David  Brooks,  James  Grier,  James  Giles  &  Thomas  Machin  into  a  full 
Participation  of  all  benefits.  Privileges  &  advantages  arising  from  the  Coinage 
of  Copper  for  the  State  of  Vermont  upon  such  Conditions  &  in  such  manner, 
as  shall  be  hereinafter  expressed.  Now  This  Indenture  Witnesseth,  that  the 
said  parties  to  these  Presents  for  the  affiance,  trust  &  confidence  which  each 
of  them  hath  and  doth  repose  in  the  other,  have  concluded  &  agreed  to  become 
Copartners  &  Joint  traders  together,  in  such  trades  &  Merchandizing  and 
in  the  Coinage  of  Copper  for  the  State  of  Vermont  aforesaid  as  well  within 
the  States  of  Vermont,  Connecticut  &  N.  York  as  elsewhere,  where  the  said 
Parties  shall  think  fit  to  Trade  &  Merchandize  for  their  most  benefit  advantage 
&  profit,  and  that  for  &  during  the  term  of  eight  years  to  be  Computed  from 
the  first  Day  of  July  next  being  the  term  allowed  by  the  Legislature  of 
Vermont  to  coin  as  aforesaid,  and  to  that  end  and  purpose  the  said  Samuel 
Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee,  David  Brooks,  James  Grier,  James  Giles  &  Thomas 
Mac-hin  shall  add  and  put  together,  on  or  before  the  said  first  Day  of  July, 
a  Joint  Stock  to  be  employed  in  and  about  the  said  trade  That  is  to  say, 
the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds  Current  mone  of  Xew  York,  &  also 
that  they  the  said  Sam'  Atlee,  James  F.  Altee,  David  Brooks,  James  Grier, 
James  Giles,  and  Thomas  Machin,  shall  add  &  put  together  on  or  Ijefore  the 
first  Day  of  November  next  the  further  sum  of  Two  hundred  pounds  like 
money  as  part  &  share  of  the  said  Reuben  Harmon,  William  Coley,  Elias 
Jackson,  and  Daniel  Van  Voorhis  to  compleet  the  sum  of  Five  hundred 
pounds  which  is  intended  to  be  the  Joint  stock  in  trade  of  the  Parties  to 
these  presents,  which  said  stock  shall  be  employed  &  occupied  together  upon 
an  account  of  Tenths,  the  Whole  in  ten  equal  parts  to  be  Divided,  "NYliereof 
the  said  Reuben  Harmon  his  Executors  &  Administrators  is  &  are  to  have 
and  bear  for  his  and  their  parts  on  tenth  part  thereof  both  in  profit  &  Loss. 


198  THK    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

The  said  William  Coley  his  Executors  &  Administrators,  one  tenth  part 
thereof  both  in  Profit  &  Loss.  The  said  Elias  Jackson  his  Executors  & 
Administrators  One  tenth  jiart  thereof  both  in  Profit  &  Loss  the  said  ]3aniel 
Van  Voorhis,  his  Executors  &  Administrators,  one  tenth  part  thereof  both 
in  Profit  &  Loss.  The  said  Samuel  Atlee,  his  Executors  &  Administrators 
one  tenth  part  thereof  both  in  profit  &  Loss,  the  said  James  F.  Atlee  his 
Executors  &  Administrators  one  tenth  part  both  In  Pi'ofit  &  Loss,  the  said 
James  Grier  his  Executors  &  administrators  one  tenth  part  thereof  for  his 
and  their  part  both  In  profit  and  Loss.  The  said  David  Brooks  his  Executors 
&  administrators  one  tenth  jjart  thereof  for  his  &  their  part  both  In  Profit 
and  Loss.  The  said  James  Giles  his  Executors  &  administraf*  one  tenth  part 
thereof,  for  his  &  their  part  both  In  Profit  &  Loss,  and  the  said  Thomas 
Machin  his  Executors  &  Administrators  the  other  tenth  part  thereof,  foi-  his 
&  their  part  both  In  Profit  and  Loss,  According  to  the  True  Intent  &  meaning 
thereof,  &  the  said  Samuel  Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee  David  Brooks,  James  Grier, 
James  Giles  &  Thomas  Machin  having  by  their  several  Obligations  bearing 
even  date  with  these  Presents  bound  themselves  for  the  payment  of  four 
hundred  pounds  in  the  whole  .^ew  York  Currency  to  the  said  Reuljen  Harmon, 
A\'illiam  Coley,  Elias  Jackson  &  Daniel  Tan  Voorhis,  payable  in  two  years 
from  the  date  hereof  which  said  sum  of  Four  hundred  pounds  Togethei*  with 
the  said  sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  to  be  i)ut  into  the  stock  afoi'esaid  by 
the  said  James  Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee,  David  Bi-ooks,  James  Grier,  James 
Giles  and  Thomas  Machin  as  the  Part  &  Share  of  the  said  Reul^en  Harmon 
William  Coley,  Elias  Jackson  &  Daniel  Van  Voorhis  to  be  Em])loyed  in  the 
stock  as  abovesaid,  making  in  the  whole  sL\  hundred  pounds.  Which  said  sum 
of  six  hundred  pounds  is  Considered  by  the  said  Reuben  Harmon,  William 
Coley,  Elias  Jackson  &  Daniel  Van  Voorhis  as  a  full  and  ample  Compensation 
to  them  for  admitting  the  said  Samuel  Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee,  David  Brooks, 
James  Grier  James  Giles  &  Thomas  Machin  into  a  full  and  equal  share 
agreeably  to  the  Pi-oportions  before  mentioned,  that  is  to  say  each  of  the 
Parties  to  these  Presents,  one  tenth  part,  share  and  share  alike  of  all  the 
Privileges,  Profits  &  Advantages  arising  from  the  Coinage  of  Co^jper  for  the 
State  of  Vermont,  persuent  to  the  Act  aforesaid,  during  the  Continuence  of 
the  Term  aforesaid,  and  it  is  further  agreed  by  the  parties  of  these  Presents 
that  the  said  Samuel  Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee,  David  Brooks,  James  Grier, 
James  Giles  &  Thomas  Machin,  shall  on  or  before  the  said  First  day  of 
July  next   Compleat  at  their  own  Proper  Cost  &  Charges  the   Works  now 


VERMONT.  199 

Errecting  at  the  Mills  of  the  said  Thomas  Machin  near  the  Great  Pond  in 
the  County  of  Ulster  aforesaid,  so  as  to  Enable  the  parties  to  these  presents 
to  Carry  on  their  Joint  Trade,  &  also  that  the  said  Keuben  Harmon,  William 
-Coley,  Elias  Jackson  &  Daniel  Van  Voorhis  shall  on  or  before  the  said 
first  day  of  July  next  at  their  own  proper  Cost  &  Charges,  Compleat  the 
Works  they  are  now  Errecting  at  Rupert  in  the  County  of  Bennington  afore- 
4said  for  the  purpose  of  Coining  aforesaid,  so  as  to  enable  the  parties  to  these 
presents  to  Cary  on  their  Joint  Trade,  and  that  when  the  Works  errecting 
at  the  said  Thomas  Machin's  Mills  &  those  at  Rupert  aforesaid  shall  be 
Compleated  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  that  then  &  from  thence  forward 
^luring  the  Continuance  of  the  Copartnership  all  Repairs  or  Alterations  which 
shall  be  deemed  necessary  to  the  said  Works  shall  be  made  &  born  \)\  the 
parties  to  these  presents,  shai'e  &  share  alike.  And  it  is  further  agreed 
between  the  parties  to  these  presents  that  the  said  James  Giles  shall  have 
Charge  of  the  Writing  True  Keeping  &  Custody  of  the  Books  to  jje  Kept 
for  the  said  Copartnership  &  that  the  said  Reuben  Harmon  &  William  Coley 
shall  equally  manage  act  &  perform  that  part  of  the  trade  which  Concerns 
the  Coinage  of  Money  at  Rupert  aforesaid,  &  that  the  said  Thomas  Machin 
and  James  F.  Atlee  shall  equally  manage  &  perfoi-m  that  part  of  the  Trade 
which  Concern  the  Coinage  of  Money  &  Manufacuring  Hard  Ware  at  the 
Mills  of  the  said  Thomas  Machin  in  the  County  of  Ulster  aforesaid  ai\d  tliat 
the  said  James  Grier  shall  be  the  Cashier  of  the  Money  Coined  at  Kui^ert 
aforesaid  &  the  said  Daniel  Van  Voorhis  Cashier  of  tlie  Money  Coined  at 
the  Mills  of  the  said  Thomas  Machin  &  that  the  said  James  Grier  &:  Elias 
Jackson  shall  have  the  General  management  of  the  Expenditxn-es  ot'  the 
Money  Coined  at  either  places  last  Mentioned  in  the  Piii-chase  of  siich  Aiticles 
as  shall  be  for  the  most  Benefit  and  advantage  t)f  the  Copartnership,  and 
that  the  other  Joint  Business  shall  be  equally  acted  and  pei-formed  l)y  the 
■said  David  Brooks  &  Samuel  Atlee,  and  also  it  is  agreed  ihal  a  Ciilaiii 
Book  shall  be  Kept  by  the  said  James  Giles,  wliich  shall  he  called  &  Known 
by  the  name  of  the  Book  of  Resolutions  in  which  li()i>k  such  Resolutions 
shall  be  made  and  Entered  as  the  Majority  of  the  Coi)artiuis  shall  di'tiTniine 
for  the  better  Regulating  the  Concerns  of  this  Coi)artncrship  I'lovidcd  suc-h 
Resoluti(ms  are  not  Contrary  to  the  True  Intent  &  meaning  of  this  C()i)art- 
nership  and  it  is  further  agi-ccd  by  &  between  the  parties  to  these  Presents 
that  they  shall  once  every  four  Months  during  the  said  CoiiartntTshi])  to  wit, 
■on    the   first  Day  of  Feb-'  on   the   first  Day   of  -Juni'   and   on   the   first    d.iy   of 


200  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

October  in  every  year.  Come  to  a  plain  fair  and  perfect  account  &  Reckoning 
with  each  other  of  for  and  Concerning  all  Matters  Relating  to  the  Copart- 
nership, to  the  Intent  it  may  appear  how,  &  in  what  State  &  Condition 
they  then  stand  in  Refference  to  their  said  Copartnershij)  &  Joint  Stock, 
&  it  is  agreed  that  after  the  said  Account  is  made  ujd,  each  of  the  said 
parties  shall  &  may  deduct  &  take  out  of  the  profits  Xett  Produce  &  Increase 
of  the  said  trade  to  &  for  his  own  Particular  use  such  sum  &  sums  of  money 
as  shall  be  Mutually  agreed  upon  by  &  between  the  Parties  of  these  Presents, 
&  that  the  place  of  Meeting  for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  said  account  shall 
be  at  Rynbeck  in  the  State  of  JS'ew  York,  unless  otherwise  Determined  by 
a  Majority  of  the  Cojiartners  to  be  expressed  in  then*  Resolution  Book,  And 
"Wliereas  it  may  be  Inconvenient  for  all  the  parties  to  these  presents  to  Meet 
at  the  time  above  mentioned,  it  is  therefore  hereby  agreed  that  such  of  the 
parties  who  cannot  attend  that  then  &  in  such  case  he  or  they  may  authorize 
and  appoint  either  of  the  others  of  the  said  Parties  to  transact,  doo,  & 
perform  in  his  or  their  name  or  names,  the  necessary  Business  of  such  Meeting 
&  the  dooing  or  acting  of  such  Person  so  appointed  shall  be  binding  on  the 
person  or  persons  so  appointing  him  and  which  authority  for  so  acting  shall 

be    in   the  words    following,  to  wit,  I  do  hereby  authorize  and  appoint 

you   for   me    &   in   my  name   to   negotiate   &   settle  on  my  account  all 

matters  Relating  to  the  Copartnership  in  which  Ave  are  connected  for  the 
Coinage  of  Copper  &?  for  the  State  of  Vermont  &?,  and  if  case  should 
require  to  sign  my  name  to  any  Resolution  that  may  be  made  for  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Copartnership  and  for  which  this  shall  be  your  warrant  dated 

this   day  of  17 —  which  authority  or  Letter  of  Attorney  shall  be 

equally  binding  on  the  party  giving  it  as  tho'  he  had  given  a  Regular  Letter 
of  Atty,  Perscribed  by  the  forms  of  Law,  And  it  is  hei"eby  fm-ther  agreed 
that  no  advantage  of  Survivorship  shall  be  taken  by  the  said  jDarties  but  that 
on  the  Death  of  either  of  them  the  Executors  or  Administrators  of  the  Party 
so  dying  giving  security  to  the  Survivors  to  Indemnify  them  shall  and  may 
Receive  the  share  or  Interest  in  the  said  Joint  stock  of  the  Party  so  Dying, 
and  it  is  Mutually  agreed  by  and  between  the  said  parties  that  in  Case  either 
of  them  shall  at  any  time  during  the  said  term  of  eight  years  be  minded  to 
break  olF  &  quit  the  said  Copartnership  they  shall  either  of  them  be  at 
Liberty  so  to  do  on  giA^ng  six  months  notice  to  the  others  of  them  in  Writing 
of  such  his  Intention  to  quit  the  same,  but  the  same  Copartnership  to  Exist 
as   to  the   other   Parties   who  remain   jSTotwithstanding.     And  further   that  it 


VERMOXT.  201 

fihall  and  may  be  lawful  to  &  for  the  Parties  to  these  Presents  or  any  of 
them  at  his  &  their  will  &  Pleasure  to  have  Liberty,  ingress,  egress  and 
regress  into,  out  of  and  from  the  Compting  house,  store  House  &  Room  where 
either  of  the  Parties  to  these  presents  may  be  employed,  in  the  Coinage  & 
Manufactury  aforesaid,  &  shall  &  may  freely  as  occation  may  require  as  well 
View  the  Works  as  also  view  &  peruse  the  said  Book  of  Accounts  as  also 
all  Wares,  Goods  &  Merchandise  &  other  things  whatsoever  relating  to  the 
said  Joint  Trade  in  the  hands  Custody  or  Possession  of  either  of  the  Parties 
to  these  Presents;  And  it  is  further  agreed  between  the  Parties  to  these 
Presents  that  if  any  Douljt  Question,  Controversy  oi-  difference  shall  happen 
or  arise  between  the  said  Parties  Concerning  their  said  Copartnership  the 
same  shall  be  Determined  by  a  Majority  of  the  Copartners  or  by  a  Referrence 
of  Indifterent  Persons  if  either  of  the  Parties  shall  think  fit  which  reference 
shall  not  consist  of  more  than  three  Persons,  and  those  Refi:erees  to  be  chosen 
in  the  Usual  maner  in  which  Referrees  are  chosen  that  is,  one  on  either  side, 
&  the  third  by  the  two  Chosen  if  an  Umpire  should  be  necessary.  And  further 
it  is  Concluded  and  agreed  by  and  between  the  said  parties  to  these  presents 
and  tlieir  true  Intent  and  meaning  is  that  none  of  the  said  Parties,  nor  the 
Executors  or  Administrators  of  any  of  them  shall  at  any  time  or  times,  be 
Charged  or  Chargable  by  Virtue  of  these  presents  furthei-  than  for  his  own 
proper  oftence  or  Breach  of  Covenant,  &  not  for  the  Ofience  or  breach  of 
Covenant  of  any  of  the  other  of  the  said  parties  his  Executors  or  Admin- 
istrators, anything  before  or  hereinafter  to  be  mentioned  notwithstanding; 
and  it  is  further  agreed  by  and  between  the  said  Parties  to  these  presents 
that  neither  of  the  said  parties  shall  make  any  Chai'ge  for  his  or  their 
Jjal)()ur  in  cai-rying  on  the  design  or  transacting  doing  or  acting  any  particular 
branch  of  the  Copartnership  except  all  such  costs  and  charges  &  expenses  as 
may  be  Disbursed  by  any  of  the  parties  hereto  when  abroad  from  their 
Habitations  in  transacting  the  Business  of  tlie  Ct)i)artuersliip  or  uiik'ss  by  a 
Resolution  of  the  Majority  of  the  Copartners  to  l)e  ex})ressed  in  their  Reso- 
lution Book,  which  shall  be  Equally  born  by  the  parties  to  these  i)resents  and 
it  is  further  agreed  by  &  between  the  parties  to  these  presents  that  if  either 
or  any  of  them  during  the  Continuance  of  their  Copartnership  shall  gel  or 
Prociu'e  in  his  or  their  name  oi"  names  any  Grant  for  Coinage  of  Money  from 
the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  Assembled  oi-  from  the  Legislatui-e 
of  any  of  the  United  States  or  shall  t'uti'i-  into  a  Conli-act  <>r  Contiacls  with 
such  othei-  persons  who   may  have  the  Privilidge  of  Cohiing  from  the  Congress 


202  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

as  aforesaid  or  any  of  the  Legislatures  aforesaid  that  then  &  in  such  Case  the 
Profit  &  Losses  of  such  Grant  of  Coinage  or  Contract  aforesaid  shall  be 
had  and  liorn  &  shai'ed  between  the  parties  to  these  presents  share  and  share 
alike,  and  lastly  it  is  agreed  that  none  of  them  the  said  jiarties  shall  and 
will  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter  do  Commit  or  Omit  to  do  any  act,  Deed 
or  Device  whatsoever  with  an  Intent  to  defeat  or  make  Void  in  part  or  in 
all  the  true  Intent  or  meaning  of  these  presents,  and  for  the  ti'ue  and  punctual 
Performance  hereof  of  the  parties  to  these  Presents  Bind  themselves,  their 
Heirs,  Executors  and  Administrators,  each  unto  the  other,  their  Executors  & 
administrators,  Severally  &  not  Jointly  in  the  pennal  Sum  of  One  thousand 
pounds.  In  "Witness  Whereof  the  Parties  to  these  presents  have  hereunto 
Interchangeably  set  their  Hands  and  Seals  the  Day  and  year  first  above 
written. 


Sealed    &    Delivered 
ill  the  P 


Delivered  I  Eetibeu  Harmon        [l-s.] 

'■^''^"^■<^  °* '  AVilliam  Coley  [l.s.] 

[Here    is    inserted   a  long    list    of    additions,    erasures,  EliaS  Jackson  [l.S.] 

etc.,  as  in  the  previous  agreement.     These  it  will  not  be  Dan'   Van   Voorhis  Tls.! 

necessary  to  print,  as  they  jjrobably  have  all  been   incor-  Sfimi    Atlpp  FlsI 

porated   into  the  body   of  the   paper;    and  had  they  not,  tti      \    i  r      i 

the    lines    in    \nini    not    corresponding  with    those   of   the  James   t.   Atlee  [l.s.J 

original,    it    woidd    be    inij)ossible    correctly    to    place  the  D.    Brooks  Fl.S.I 

'I'teiations.j  Jamcs  Grier  [l.s.] 

Amasa  Sprague  J^^"^^'^  ^-^^^^'^  [^-'-l 

"Henery  Evens  Tho?  Machin  [l.s.]  "■ 

Sinnns,  in  the  History  of  Scoharie  County,  gives  some  account  of  this- 
copartnership,  concluding  with  these  remarks:  "AVliether  the  long  firm  of 
money  makers  ever  coined  coppers  enough  to  fill  the  jjockets  of  all  the  Green 
Mountain  boys;  or  whether  they  found  the  business  profitable,  is  uncertain; 
but  from  Mr.  Machin's  papers,  I  am  led  to  conclude  they  never  eflected  much. 
At  his  mills  perhaps  a  thousand  poiuids  of  cojjper  was  manufactiu-ed,  as 
appears  by  the  papers,  in  the  year  1789;  previous  to  which  little  seems  to 
have  been  done.  '  AVhat  is  everybody's  business  is  nobody's ; '  and  the  saying 
seems  to  have  been  verified  in  the  doings  of  this  copper  firm:  for  in  a  letter 
from  J.  P.  Atlee  to  Mr.  Machin,  dated  Vergennes,  October  14,  1790,  he 
expresses  a  Avish  that  the  concern  might  arrive  at  a  settlement  on  equitable 
terms,  and  compromise  their  matters  without  a  tedious  and  expensive  la^v^ 
suit." 


CON  N  E  C  T  I  (J  U  T 


The  attention  of  Connecticut  was,  at  an  early  pci'iod,  called  to  the  regu- 
lation of  a  coinage  now  unknown  to  u.s,  or,  if  known,  not  recognized  under 
the  name  by  which  it  is  here  introduced,  as  we  learn  from  the  records,  that 
as  early  as  May  25th,  1721,  this  vote  was  passed  Ijy  the  Ujiper  House,  in 
that  Colony  :  — "  An  act  sent  from  the  Lower  House  that  the  coin  called 
black  doggs  pass  at  2*^  ]f^  was  dissented  to  at  this  board." 

We  can  gain  no  clue  as  to  what  coins  were  iiere  referred  to  under  the 
name  of  "black  doggs,"  but  conclude,  i'rom  the  vahu'  ])laced  ujion  them,  that 
they  must  have  been  composed  of  cop])er,  or  some  alloy  of  that  metal. 

At  this  tune  Connecticut  had,  in  common  with  other  colonics,  adopted 
the  practice  of  issuing  paper  money.  Considei'al)le  sums  of  this  money 
were  emitted  between  1709,  when  the  first  was  authorized,  and  1780,  which 
was  the  date  of  the  last.  A  remedy  for  the  evils  produced  by  these  rapidly 
depreciating  bills  was  soon  proposed. 

In  1739,  a  petition  was  presented  by  John  Read,  of  Boston,  to  the 
General  Court  of  Connecticut,  i^raying  tlieii-  aid  in  obtaining  a  Patent  from 
the  Crown,  I'oi'  the  coinage  ol"  copper  money  from  the  metal  produced  irom 
the  native  ores  of  that  State.  Tlu-  j)rolits  of  this  coinage  Avere  to  be  seciu'cd 
to  him,  he  defraying  all  expenses  incident  to  tlie  attempt,  whether  successful 
or  otherwise. 

This  |ielition,  and  a  h'tler  fioni  K'cad  releri'ing  thereto,  are  procived  by 
the  Connecticut  Historical  iSociety,  at  llailfoi-d.  Conn.  We  here  acknowledge 
our  indebtedness  to  the  Hon.  Cliaries  fj.  Iloadly,  of  that  city,  for  copies  of 
these  two  papers,  which  are  next   presented. 


204  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  petition  of  John  Read,  and  is  endorsed: — 

"  Mr.  John  Eeeds  of  y«  15  Oef  1739  eomc  to  not  untill  No'  2V  1739." 

"  To  the  Honble  the  Gov'  Couneil  &  representatives  in  Gen'  Court 
assembled  at  ISTew-haven  10  Oct":  1739. 

"  The  Memorial  &  Petition  of  John  Read  of  Boston  Gent. 

"May  it  please  your  hon'   &  this  honble  Conrt 

"  The  Province  of  the  Massachusets  Bay  are  sending-  home  Mr.  Christo- 
pher Kilby  lately  chosen  by  the  house  of  Representatives  their  Agent  at  the 
British  Court  to  allow  them  to  make  Province  bills  as  in  times  past  as  the 
only  &  necessary  means  of  carrying  on  their  trade  as  well  as  defending  their 
frontiers:  while  the  Governour  loudly  tells  them  their  attempt  will  be  utterly 
fruitless. 

"  The  Colony  of  Rhode-Island  are  from  time  to  time  midtii)lying  their 
bills  after  the  old  manner,  &  we  take  them  &  are  glad  of  them,  tho"  they  are 
still  declining  in  ^'alue,  &  now  one  ounce  of-  Silver  is  28!  of  them  or  any  others 
of  JSTew  England  old  tenor  bills  &  will  doubtless  grow  worse  &  worse. 

"  The  King  &  Council  at  home  are  concerned  at  our  pitifnl  moans  & 
are  privately  inquiring  what  bills  are  out  in  Xew  England  &  what  hath  been 
out  &  called  in,  &  consulting  the  merch'.*  that  trade  hither  to  find  out  some 
means  to  establish  the  value  of  oui"  money  or  bills,  &  give  no  flirther  relief 
than  shall  be  found  necessary. 

"  Hearing  &  perceiving  these  things  without  inquiring,  &  whether  I 
will  or  not,  I  have  considered  &  apprehend  the  present  &  best  expedient  Avill 
be  the  Coining  of  English  half  pence  &  farthings  out  of  the  Copper  pro- 
duced in  Connecticut  of  Sterling  value,  make  that  the  Standard  of  all  your 
money,  call  in  all  y*"  old  bills  &  emit  so  many  new  only  as  at  y"  diiferent 
value  shall  equal  those  called  in,  make  a  bank  of  the  new  bills  &  Copper 
money  payable  on  demand  one  half  m  bills  now  to  be  renewed  &  redeemable 
at  y"  periods  you  have  already  set  (which  then  shall  be  redeemed  with  copper 
money)  &  the  other  half  in  Copper  money,  which  in  a  short  compass  of  time 
may  be  eff'ected  &  will  establish  &  for  ever  preserve  the  value  of  your  bills 
against  all  factors  Stock-jobbers  &  chances  whatsoever.  This  will  immediately 
supply  a  lasting  money  of  Intrinsick  value  &  effectually  supply  us  with  small 
change,  &  bring  in  Silver  also.  For  mens  pockets  are  locked  up  now  that 
have  any  silver,  because  men  cannot  trade  in  it  for  want  of  knowing  y®  value 
tis  now  of  &  the  value  twill  be  of  to  morrow  in  comparison  with  our  bills, 
and  so  are  afraid  to  part  with  it  for  fear  of  losing,  but  if  they  can  once  find 


CONT^ECTICUT.  205 

the    paper   established    &    \'\)\   y''   silver    incii   will    as   soon    pai'l    with    that   as 
with  copper  or  paper. 

•'Xow  there  are  no  people  can  expect  to  he  lavourecl  with  a  Patent  iVoni  y* 
Crown  to  Coin  Copper  in  jSTew-England  iijjon  so  good  grounds  as  Connecticut 
&  I  (louht  not  hut  you  might  obtain  it.  tor 

"  Connecticut  hath  been  the  most  innocent  in  the  point  of  paper  money  of 
any  part  of  Xew-England,  your  stock  being  reduced  very  low  before  the  New 
London  Society's  presumption  obliged  you  foi*  y*"  sake  of  saving  innocents 
imposed  ujjon  by  their  bills  to  make  a  quantity  for  y*  calling  in  of  theirs  &  to 
be  paid  for  by  them.     And  this  is  a  great  point  at  y"  British  Court. 

"Connecticut  is  the  Native  Soil  that  produceth  this  Copper  &  furnisheth 
a  strong  argument  for  you  at  Court  therefore  to  gain  this  patent  that  you 
ma}'  improve  your  own  natiu'al  prodiiction  &  manufactiu'e. 

"  Connecticut  will  be  the  first  that  iinds  an  exi^edient  to  rectify  y'"  value  of 
oui-  money  &  establish  the  value  of  it  which  will  be  a  strong  inducement  to  the 
Courts  favour. 

"And  this  is  the  luckiest  juncture  you  can  possibly  appear  in  it  as  appears 
by  the  |)remisses  laid  down  &  publickly  known;  I  have  heretolbre  for  two 
years  past  had  this  very  thought  in  my  mind  for  substance.  I  have  several 
tunes  occasionally  moved  discourse  upon  it,  and  at  last  seem  to  be  pretty  much 
alone  in  my  sentiments:  but  this  jiuictui'c  has  made  me  the  more  Confident  of 
the  success  if  y*  matter  be  prudently  managed. 

" Now  therefore  if  it  will  be  deemed  a  real  publick  benefit  to  have  money 
])i-o(luced  &  multiplied  among  us  of  a  certain  value  &  steady  continuance,  I 
oft'er  this  honble  Court  to  take  u})on  me  the  management  of  this  affair,  to 
procui-e  a  i)attent  from  y''  Crown  to  this  (lovernment  to  Coin  Co])i)cr  money.  I 
will  only  desire  their  orders  to  their  agent  to  petition  &,  use  all  his  diligence 
to  obtain  it,  and  pailiculaily  under  my  directions,  also  an  authentick  account 
luider  the  Piovince  Seal  of  the  sums  &  time  of  Emitting  &  calling  in  your 
bills,  a  ballance  drawni  shewing  how  nuuh  was  outstanding  at  the  time  of  j'^our 
last  Emission  for  y"  New  London  Society  &  y*"  occasion  of  that  Emission,  &  the 
account  continued  down  to  this  time  to  show  what  is  now  out,  &  I  wnll  give  all 
necessary  directions  to  yom-  Agent  touching  it,  at  y"  same  time  I  will  furnish 
your  Agent  with  all  the  Sterling  Cash  to  pay  him  for  all  his  trouble  attendance 
&  disbursements,  and  the  condition  is  that  if  I  do  not  piocure  any  pattent  nor 
fruit  of  my  lal)our  &,  expense  in  y"  attempt  I  will  stand  to  »Sj  bear  the  loss  all 
myscll"  &  such  as  I  shall   join   with   me  if  any   body  do  join   with    me,  &  on  y' 


206  THE    EARLY    COIKS    OP    AMERICA. 

other  hand  if  1  do  procure  such  a  patent  or  such  like  fruit  of  my  attempt  as  the 
pubHck  will  reap  y"  benefit  of  a  good  supply  I  shall  have  all  the  benefit  that  may 
lawfully  arise  from  it  to  the  undertakers.  And  this  I  desire  may  be  insured  to 
me  by  y*"  Government  as  my  Incouragem*  to  pursue  it  at  this  time  which  I  look 
upon  to  be  the  happiest  that  can  well  be. 

"  This  proposal  of  mine  requireth  secresy  &  dispatch,  that  no  man  but 
whom  I  trust  may  know  it,  till  it  rest  in  your  agents  hands  at  home  in  England. 
And  if  you  send  any  agents  from  hence  (as  I  suppose  you  are  about  no  such 
thing)  they  may  know  Nothing  of  it. 

" I  am  may  it  please  y'  honour  &  this  honble  Coiut 

Y°'  most  humble  Serv' 
"  Boston  15  Oct:  1739.  Jn°  Read." 

Mr.  Read,  having  written  twice,  (his  second  letter  we  have  been  unable 
to  trace,)   but  failing  to  elicit  a  reply,  wi-ites  a  third  time  to  this  eftect  : — 

"12  Nov-  1739. 
"  S'  I  have  writ  two  letters  to  you  at  ^ew-haven  that  1  judged  it  of 
great  importance  to  Comiecticut  to  procure  the  King's  patent  to  coin  the 
copper  of  yoiu-  own  production:  That  I  had  desired  Mr.  Woodbridge  of 
Simsbury  to  intimate  this  to  you:  That  the  mine  adventurers  Mr.  Cradock  & 
others  communed  with  me  about  procuring  it:  That  we  had  done,  &  if  the 
Colony  would  give  me  their  name  to  their  Agent,  I  would  procure  one  at 
my  own  expense  but  to  my  own  profit.  I  wrote  the  first  Monday  after 
October  Gen'  Court  met  &  the  next  Monday  after,  both  liy  the  post,  but 
never  received  one  word  of  answer,  therefore  only  desire  to  know  if  you  had 
them,  proposed  them  &c.  or  not,  for  I  nevei-  had  any  answer  touching  the 
premises. 

"My  service  to  all  friends. 

"I  am  y'  honours 

"  Most  humble  serv' 

Jn°  Read." 
"To  the  honble  Joseph  Talcott  Esq': 

From  the  coincidence  of  dates,  it  appears  probable  that  Higley,  who 
was  coining  coppers  upon  his  own  account  in  1737 — 1739,  was  connected  with 
Read  in  this  attempt  to  secure  the  right  of  coinage,  particularly  as  his  own 
proceedings   in  that  business  were  without  the   sanction  of  law:  he  probably 


CONKECTICUT.  207 

was  one  of  those  referred  to  by  Read  as,  "such  as  I  shall  join  witli  me." 
Deferring  the  sul)ject  of  Higley's  coinage,  as  unauthorized,  and  on  that 
account  not  properly  belonging  in  this  chapter,  we  i)roceed  to  the  copper 
comage  of  this  State,  as  introduced  by  the  petition  of  Samuel  Bishop,  James 
Hillhouse,  John  Goodrich,  and  Joseph  Hopkins,  dated  at  New  Haven,  Octo- 
ber 18th,  1785. 

"  To  the  Honorable  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Connecticutt  now 
sitting  at  !N^ew  Haven  in  said  State 

"  The  Petition  of  Samuel  Bishop  James  Hillhouse  &  John  Goodrich  all 
of  New  Haven  in  Xew  Haven  County  and  Joseph  Hopkins  of  Waterbury 
ui  said  County  humbly  sheweth  That  there  is  a  great  &  very  prevalent 
scarcity  of  small  Coin  in  this  State,  in  consequence  whereof  great  incon- 
veniences are  severely  felt  by  all  orders  of  men  in  the  Article  of  making- 
Change,  especially  b}^  the  laborious  Class,  who  are  indeed  the  Stay  &  Staff 
of  ever}'  Community  that  our  late  Enemies  conscious  of  this,  &  unrestrained 
by  any  Law,  are  countirfeiting  in  vast  abundance,  that  others  even  of  our 
Countrymen,  &,  your  Memorialists  ai*e  sorry  to  say  some,  even  of  their  fellow 
Citizens  have  attempted  the  same  nefarious  Business,  and  are  now  Coining  & 
stamping  a  Copper  Coin  much  under  standard  weight  and  Endevouring  to 
Impose  the  same  upon  the  Inhabitants  of  this  State  manifestly  to  the  injury 
of  the  Credit  of  our  Copper  Currency  and  to  the  great  Damage,  in  point  of 
fraud  and  imposition,  of  the  honest  &  unsuspicious  Citizens  of  this  State  — 

"Your  Memorialists  conceive  that  the  Right  of  Coining  Coppei-  is  in 
this  Honorable  Legislatui'c,  that  it  is  ol"  high  importance  that  it  be  not 
tolerated  but  by  their  permission,  &  under  their  superinlendency,  &  that  the 
State  ought  to  derive  some  pecuniary  advantage  from  such  a  toleration  — 

"It  must  be  very  needless  to  suggest  arguments  to  the  AVisdoni  of  your 
Honors  in  suppoi't  of  this  proposition  the  Justice  thereof  being  oh\  ious  to 
every  one  who  hears  it  made  —  Impressed  witli  tlicsc  idt'as  your  Memorialists 
beg  leave  to  address  your  Honoi's  on  this  subject,  and  to  ])ropose  to  your 
Honor's  Consideration  the  Expediency  ol"  gi-anting  to  them  for  the  term  of 
ten  years  from  the  rising  of  the  Assemlily,  the  Kigiit  &  jjower  of  establishing 
a  Mint  in  tliis  State  to  be  under  the  inspection  ol'  such  Couunittce  consisting 
of  three  persons  to  be  a])pointed  by  your  llonois  i'roui  tinu'  lo  lime  as  there 
shall  be  occasion,  for  the  ])urpose  of  Coining  Coppers  of  good  metal  of  tlie 
standard   &    weiglit    of    British    half   pence   conunoulv    called    coppers,   live    per 


208  THE    EARLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

Cent,  however  of  all  the  Coppers  thus  coined  to  be  paid  by  them  half  yearly 
to  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  to  and  for  the  use  of  this  State  &  that  no 
other  persons,  but  by  permission  of  this  Honorable  Assembly,  to  have  right 
to  Coin  within  this  State  any  Copper  Coin  under  the  Penalties  by  Law  to 
by  inflicted  on  persons  who  counterfeit  any  of  the  Gold  or  Silver  Coin  current 
m  this  State  — 

"  On  these  terms  or  such  as  may  suggest  themselves  to  the  Wisdom  of 
your  Honors,  your  Memorialists  are  wiling  and  desirous  of  establishing  a 
Mhit  for  coining  Coppers  and  to  be  under  Oath  to  account  with  the  Treasurer 
of  this  State  for  one  twentieth  part  of  all  Coppers  by  them  Coined,  and  that 
a  Committee  appointed  by  your  Honors  from  time  to  time  shall  at  the  Expence 
of  your  Memorialists  inspect  the  quality  &  weight  of  all  Coppers  coined  l)y 
them  previous  to  their  being  put  oft'  for  Circulation  and  on  the  Principles 
suggested  in  this  Memorial  they  Humbly  pray  your  Honors  that  they  may  be 
permitted  to  establish  a  Mint  foi-  the  purpose  of  coining  Coppers  and  they  as 
in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray     ^ew  Haven  October  18""  1785  — 

Sam'  Bishop 
James  Hillhouse 
Joseph  Hopkins 
John  Goodrich  " 

"  In  the  Lower  House  (Oct  19'.")  The  Prayer  of  this  Memoi-ial  is  Gi-anted 
&  Liberty  for  a  Bill  in  Form  &c  Test  J  Strong  Gierke" 

"In  the  upper  House 

"  The  further  Consideration  of  this  Memorial  is  referred  to  the  Gen'  As- 
sembly of  this  State  to  be  holden  at  Hartford  on  the  2''  Thursday  of  May 
next  Test  George  Wyllys  Secrety  " 

On  the  back  of  the  above  document  is  the  following:  — 

"  In  the  Lower  House 

"  Col  Wadsworth  &  Mr  Ingersol  are  appointed  a  Conma^5  to  confer  with 
such  Gentlemen  as  the  hon'  upper  House  shall  appoint  on  the  different  Votes 
of  the  Houses  on  this  Memorial  Test  James  Davenport  Gierke  " 

"  In  the  upper  House  Joseph  Piatt  Cook  Esq""  is  appointed  to  confer  with 
the  Com"*  of  the  lower  House  on  the  differing  Votes  of  the  Houses  on  this 
Memorial  Test  George  AVyllys  Secrety" 


CONNECTICUT.  209 

"  In  the  Upper  House 

On  Report  of  the  Committee  and  Reconsideration  <;'ranted  on  this  Me- 
morial that  the  Memorialist  have  Liherty  to  estahlish  a  Mini  for  coining 
Coi)i)ers  as  prayed  for  to  an  Amonnt  not  exceeding  ten  Thousand  Pounds  — 
and  that  a   Bill  &c  Teste  George  Wyllys  Secrety  " 

"  In  the  Lower  House  on  Reconsideration  Concurred 

Test  Jedediah  Sti-ong  Clerke" 

The  bill  first  drawn  up  having  undergone  some  slight  changes  I)y  amend- 
ment in  the  Assembly,  was  again  presented,  in  the  form  which  follows  : 

"Oct.  1785. 

"Upon  the  Memorial  of  Samuel  Bishop,  Josei)h  Hopkins  James  Hill- 
house  and  John  Goodrich  praying  for  Liberty  to  Establish  a  mint  for  coining- 
Copper  in  this  State  under  the  Direction  and  Superintendance  of  the  General 
Assembly  the}'  paying  one  Twentieth  part  of  all  Cop])cr  l)y  them  Coined  into 
the  Treasury  of  this  State  to  and  for  the  Use  of  this  State  as  p'.  memorial 
on  File  &c — 

"Resolved  by  this  Assembly  that  said  Samuel  Bisho]),  Joseph  Hopkins, 
James  Hillhouse  &  John  Goodrich  have  Liberty,  and  Liberty  and  Authority 
is  hereby  Granted  to  them  to  Establish  a  Mint  for  Coining  and  manufac- 
turing Co])])ers,  not  to  exceed  the  amount  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  lawful 
money  in  \'alue  of  the  Standard  of  Brittish  half  pence,  to  weigh  Six  penny 
weight,  and  to  bear  the  following  Impression  or  Stamp  (Viz)  a  mans  head 
on  the  one  side  witli  a  Circumscription  in  the  Words  or  Letters  following 
(A'iz)  AVCTOKi  :  CONNEC  :  and  on  tlu>  other  side  the  Emblem  of  J^iberty  with 
an  olive  branch  in  her  hand  with  a  circumscription  in  the  Words  and  Figures 
following  (Viz)  ixdk  :  et  .  lib  :  llSli  :  —  Which  Grant  is  to  continue  during 
the  pleasure  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  Mem'.':  paying  into  the  Treasury 
of  this  State,  at  the  end  of  every  six  Months,  one  twentieth  part  of  all 
Coppers  by  them  Coined  or  manufactin-ed  at  said  Mint — The  mem!*  are  not 
howevci'  t<i  put  oil'  or  into  Circulation  any  Coppers  by  them  Coined  iiniill 
the  same  shall  have  been  Inspected  and  Approved  by  the  Hon'!'!'  Roger 
Shei-man  and  James  Wadsworth  Esq"!  David  Austin  Esq'  and  Mess':"  Eben- 
ezer  Chittenden  &  Isaac  Beers  or  the  major  j)art  of  them  who  are  hereby 
appointed  a  Committee  for  that  purpose,  or  such  other  Committee  as  the 
General  Assembly  shall  Ihnn  time  to  time  appoint  such  Inspection  to  be 
made  at   tiic   Expence  of  tlie  Mem'1  — 


210  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

"Provklecl  nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  construed  to  make  such  Coppers 
a  legal  Tender  in  pa^nnent  of  Any  Debt,  except  for  the  j^uvpose  of  mahing 
even  Change,  for  any  sum  not  exceeding  three  Shillings 

"  Pass''  in  the  upper  House 

Teste  George  Wyllys  Secrety  " 

"  In  the  Lower  House 

"  Concurred  with  the  following  alterations  &  exclusions  Yiz.  with  the 
Addition  of  the  Words  not  exceeding  Jive  years  next  after  the  Word  Asse^nhly 
in  the  22".''  Line  of  the  Bill — and  exchisive  of  what  follows  the  word  Debt 
in  the  last  Line  save  two  of  the  Bill. 

Test  Jedediah  Strong  Gierke  " 

"  Goncurr'.'  in  the  upper  House 

Teste  George  Wyllys  Secrety " 

The  final  passage  of  the  bill  is  thus  recorded :  — 

"Thursday  Afternoon  20  Oct^    178,5  — 

"Passed  a  Bill  in  Form  on  Memorial  of  Samuel  Bishop  &c  granting 
Liberty  to  coin  Coppers  under  the  Inspection  of  the  Hon.  R  Sherman  & 
Ja"  Wadsworth  Esq?  David  Austin  Esq^  &  Messrs  Eben'  Chittenden  & 
Isaac  Beers "' 

We  are  permitted  to  give  the  following  extract  from  Mr.  Bushnell's 
^Nmnismatic  Xotes  in  manuscript,  in  relation  to  this  coinage: 

"  Hon.  Henry  Meigs,  late  of  this  city,  (Xew  York,)  deceased,  informed 
me  in  Sept.  18.34:,  that  Connecticut  coins  were  made  in  a  building  situated 
under  the  Southern  Blutf,  near  the  centre  of  the  north  shore  of  the  harbor 
in  jS^cav  Haven,  west  of  the  Broome  and  Piatt  houses.  Mi-.  Meigs  lived  at 
the  time,  between  the  latter  residences,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  mint 
house.  He  visited  it  frequently,  and  saw  the  press  in  operation.  The  build- 
ing was  a  small  frame  house,  and  he  thinks  was  painted  red.  Messrs.  Broome 
and  Piatt,  who  had  formerly  been  merchants  in  the  city  of  ^N^ew  York,  and 
were  men  of  fortune,  he  thinks  must  have  had  a  sub-contract  for  the  manu- 
facture of  the  State  coinage,  as  Mr.  Broome  superintended  the  mint,  and  gave 
orders  to  the  men,  not  more  than  three  of  whom  were  seen  at  work  at 
one  time.  Both  members  of  the  tirm  would  sometimes  distriliute  some  of 
the  coins  among  the  boys,  among  whom  was  my  informant.  Mr.  Meigs  said 
he  saw  the  mint    in    operation    in    1788,   and    it   had  been   in    oj^ei-ation   some 


CONNECTICUT.  211 

considerable  time  before  that.  The  coins  were  struck  by  means  of  a  powerful 
iron  screw.  Mr.  F.  Kingsbury  thinks  that  the  house  desci-ibeil  by  Mr.  Meigs 
was  probably  at  a  place  at  Morris  Cove,  now  so  called,  which  is  on  the 
right  hand  side  of  the  harbor  going  up,  and  about  two  miles  above  the  light 
house.  The  firm  of  Broome  and  Piatt  was  composed  of  Samuel  Broome  and 
Jeremiah  Piatt. 

"I  have  miderstood  from  another  source  that  a  Ijuilding  at  Wcstville,  at 
the  foot  of  West  Kock,  about  tw(j  miles  inland  of  Kew  Haven,  was  likewise 
used  for  the  coinage  of  Connecticut  coppers.  At  the  time  the  old  building 
was  last  seen,  it  contained  an  old  coining  press,  and  the  remnants  of  copper 
castings. 

"  The  dies  for  the  Connecticut  coins  were  made  by  Abel  Buel,  of  New 
Haven." 

The  coins  struck  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing  acts  consist  of  but 
a  single  type,  comprising  a  great  number  of  varieties  which  we  have  en- 
deavored to  tabulate  in  a  condensed,  and  yet  in  an  intelligible  manner.  The 
tables  may  be  found  on  the  two  following  pages. 

A  single  description  will  sufiice  for  the  coins  of  the  four  years,  178.5  to 
1788  inclusive. 

OBVKl'.SE. 

Device,  —  A  head,  laureated,  on  some  facing  left,  on  others,  i"ight. 
Legend,  —  auctohi  connec 

REVEKSK. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  ol"  libei-ty,  seated,  facing  left,  an  olive  branch  ex- 
tended in  her  right  hand,  the  liberty  stall'  supported  l)y  her  left. 
Legend,  —  indk  kt  mb 

In  exergue,— The  date,  — ]78.">,  178(),  1787,  or  1788 
Borders,  —  on  some  serrated,  on  othei's  milled. 
Edges, —  plain;  size,  17  to  18.     For  weights  see  notes  following  the  tables. 

Our  tables  of  varieties  are  not  so  satisfactory  as  we  eoidd  wish,, since  in 
tables  based  upon  the  dillerences  of  punctuation,  it  is  im])ossible  to  describe 
the  peculiarities  of  each  die.  This  might  be  accomplished  by  a  system  ot 
classification,  but  as  such  tables  woulil  be  too  extended  to  come  wiliiin  the 
limits  of  this  work,  we  are  compelled  to  accept  tln'  more  simple  though  less 
scientific  method. 


212 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


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214  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA, 

N(3TES   OX    THE   TAI5LES   OF    CONNECTICl"r   COINS. 

The  Connecticut  coins  of  1785  all  have  mailed  liusts,  most  of  them  facing 
the  right.     We  have  fomid  but  two  dies  facing  the  left,  both   extremely  rare. 

No.  1  is  quite  rare  ;  the  fillet  ends  are  long,  ending  between  the  bust 
and  the  legend.     It  has  a  wreath  of  seven  leaves  and  three  berries. 

The  heads  upon  most  of  Xos.  2,  3,  4,  5  and  (i,  are  much  alike  ;  in  JS^o. 
2,  the  fillet  ends  point  at  A.  One  die  of  ISfo.  4,  is  the  "  Aii-ican  head "  —  a 
lai'ge  head  with  wreath  of  six  leaves  [Plate  Y.  No.  5]  ;  another  has  a  wreath 
of  seven  leaves,  much  like  heads  of  wheat. 

In  two  dies  of  Xo.  6,  the  fillet  ends  point  at  A  ;  in  the  other,  they  are 
long,  as  in  No.  1.      [Plate  V.  No.  G.] 

Nos.  2  to  6,  inclusive,  are  punctuated  alike  ;  but  we  have,  foi"  greater 
convenience,  separated  them  according  to  the  position  of  the  fir^t  colon. 

Of  Nos.  7  and  8,  which  face  to  left,  we  know  of  but  one  specimen  eachj 
these  much  resemble  the  more  common  heads  of  178(3. 

The  weights  of  the  coins  of  1785  show  a  greater  degree  of  regularity 
than  do  those  of  any  other  jear  ;  the  extremes  we  have  noticed  in  well  pre- 
served specimens,  being  that  of  a  Xo.  o  weighing  132  grains,  and  specimens 
of  Nos.  1  and  0,  153  grains  each. 

Judging  from  the  number  of  specimens  we  have  seen  of  each  variety, 
we  should  rate  the  rarity  of  coins  of  1785  as  given  below:  —  r",  indicating 
that  we  know  but  one  specimen  from  the  dies;  r^,  two  oi-  three;  r^  about 
six;  R^,  ten;  r'-,  fifteen;  r\  twenty;  r,  thirty,  and  c,  a  greater  number. 

No.  1,  R*:  2,  R^*:  3-B,  r-:  4-F,  r^:  5-H,  i:^:  G-G,  r^:  7  and  8,  r".     All  the 

others  are  more  common. 

1786. 

No.  1  is  a  rudely  cut  die,  with  small  head,  heavy  features  and  double 
chin.     The  wreath  has  seven  leaves. 

No.  2,  also  a  small  head,  but  much  better  work  ;  eight  leaves  in  wreath. 

Nos.  1  and  2  are  small,  light  pieces,  both  having  the  same  reverse  die, 
with  legend,  etlib  ixde  Vie  much  suspect  the  genuineness  of  these  two 
varieties,  partly  on  account  of  the  great  difterence  in  their  execution  from 
that  of  other  Connecticut  coins,  and  partly  on  account  of  their  light  weight, 
specimens  which  are  but  little  worn,  weighing  respectively,  84,  and  102 
grains. 

No.  3,  the  largest  head  of  this  year;  wreath  of  seven  leaves.  [Plate  V. 
No.  7.] 


CONNECTICUT.  215 

N^o.  4,  head  to  left,  without  punctuation  ;  wreath  of  four  pairs  of  slender 
leaves. 

Nine  of  tlie  dies  of  l^o.  5  present  few  points  l)y  wliich  to  be  distinguished 
from  each  other,  except  in  the  relative  positions  of  the  parts,  and  tlie  size  of 
the  colons.     Wreaths  of  eight  serrated  leaves.     [Plate  V.  No.  8.] 

The  tenth  die  of  No.  5,  is  the  "Hercules"  —  a  deeply  cut  head,  with  a 
scowling  face  ;  the  same  die  is  loiind  in  ITS".  Wreath  of  seven  leaves. 
[Plate  V.  No.  9.] 

The  busts  of  all  the  preceding  arc  mailed;  those  whicli  iollow  arc  draped. 

Of  No.  G,  we  have  seen  no  impression  sufficiently  sharp  to  show  the 
wreath  ;  it  has  a  large  button  at  the  tlii-oat,  and  the  fillet  ends  very  near  the 
letter  C. 

No.  7.  Head  resembles  No.  G,  but  has  no  button,  and  the  tillet  ends 
are  near  the  colon  ;  the  wreath  has  seven  laurel  leaves,  and  three  large 
berries.     [Plate  V.  No.  10.] 

The  weights  of  this  year's  coinage,  (disregarding  Nos.  1  and  2,  before 
noted,)  vary  much,  some  fine  specimens  weighing  btit  116  grains,  othei's,  111) 
grains  ;  few  are  found,  however,  which  do  not  I'cach  tlic  legal  weight  of  144 
grains.     No.  3  is  the  heaviest  variety,  and  a  No.  5,  the  lightest. 

No.  1,  R-':  2,  n*:  H,  n':  4,  e^:  5-F  and  5-E,  r=:  (5  and  7,  u\  All  the 
others  more  common. 

1787.     MAILKI)    lil'STS. 

The  three  dies  of  No.  1  of  this  year,  include  the  largest  and  tlu'  smallest 
of  the  heads  lomid  upon  coins  of  this  State,  if,  indeed,  both  really  belong  to 
this  State,  as  we  suspect  that  with  the  small  head  to  be  a  counterfeit  ;  it  is 
of  light  weight,  104  grains  only,  and  in  execution  is  more  like  coins  of 
other  States,  than  those  oi'  Connecticut.  The  legend  u[)on  the  reverse  is 
ETLIB  IXDE      [Plate  V.      No.   11.] 

The  largest  head  is  known  as  the  "umtton  head."  It  lias  a  wrt'atii  of 
eleven  medium  leaves,  ami  is  very  seldom  found  in  fine  condition.  The  other 
die  of  this  variety  has  a  medium  sized  head  with  wreath  of  seven  broad 
leaves.  We  have  seen  only  one  sjiecimcii  oi"  it,  wliich  is  owned  by  E.  Maris, 
M.  D.,  of  Philadelphia. 

No.  2  is  the  only  head  to  Irlt  without  punctuation.  Twelve  leaves,  in 
triplets. 

No.  3,  a  smaller  head,  and  vciy  viwr  :  nine  Kavcs  and  lour  berries. 
[Plate  V.  No.  12.] 


216  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

'No.  4  is  usually  found  with  a  break  from  the  bust,  whence  it  is  called 
the  "  horned  bust."  Wreath  of  ten  leaves  and  two  berries.  Its  reverse  is 
from  the  same  die  with  that  of  the  rarest  variety  of  I*^o.  1. 

No.  5.  The  head  resembles  that  of  ^o.  2  ;  twelve  leaves,  in  triplets. 
This  die  is  of  the  greatest  rarity  ;  the  only  specimen  we  know,  is  owned  by 
Dr.  Maris. 

No.  6.  The  more  common  of  these  dies  is  known  as  the  "  laughing 
head  ;"  it  is  a  small  head  with  nine  broad  leaves,  very  sharply  outlined. 
The  head  upon  the  othei"  die  has  a  very  simple  expression.  The  first  of 
these  is  not  very  rare,  but  of  the  last  we  have  seen  but  two  impressions. 

Xo.  7.  The  "  Hercules "  head  ;  the  same  die  with  Xo.  5  of  1786. 
[Plate  V.  No.  13.] 

No.  8  is  ciu'iously  punctuated.     It  has  six  leaves  and  three  large  berries. 

No.  9  has  a  peculiar  wreath  of  twelve  leaves,  in  triplets,  with  knots,  and 
five  small  berries.  It  is  punctuated  with  crosslets  (•),  the  last  one  being 
very  near  the  C. 

No.  10,  also  with  crosslets.     Wreath  of  twelve,  in  triplets,  but  no  berries. 

No.  11.     Head  much  like  10.    Stars  of  five  points  (*).     [Plate  V.  No.  14.] 

No.  12.     Wreath  of  twelve,  in  triplets.     Same  die  with  No.  8  of  1788. 

No.  13.     A  childish  face.     Nine  leaves  and  fom- berries  ;  stars  of  six(*). 

No.  14.  Head  much  like  11.  Upon  the  reverse  of  some  specimens  a  small 
pheon,  or  heraldic  spear-head  (*),  appears  after  et.  The  date  has  a  pheon 
at  each  side;  this  character  is  found  in  no  other  die.      [Plate  V.  No.  15.] 

No.  15.  The  Connect.  Head  similar  to  that  of  No.  11,  but  with  six 
berries  in  the  wreath.  It  is  found  with  three  reverses,  that  usually  found 
having  eight  cinqucfoils(»).  [Plate  V.  No.  20.]  We  have  seen  but  oue  speci- 
men each  with  the  other  reverses,  one  of  these  being  an  ind  et  lib  with 
eight  crosslets  ;  the  other,  an  lvdl  et  lib  with  probably  eight  cinquefoils, 
one  of  which  was  destroyed  by  a  break  in  the  die  ;  but  five  ajjpear  in  the 
table,  as  one  is  in  doubt,  and  two  are  with  the  date  —  one  at  each  side. 
Instead  of  (he  bi-anch  or  sprig  usually  held  by  the  goddess,  on  these  she 
appears  to  hold  a  bouquet.     [Plate  VI.  Nos.  1  and  2.] 

No.  1-A,  R^:  1-C,  r':  1-L,  if:  2,  r^:  3,  r':  4,  r':  5,  if:  6,  if,  and  ifi 
7,  R*:  8-N  and  8-0,  r':  9-D  and  9-E,  r^:  9-B,  :r':  10,  r*:  11-E  and  11-K,  r^*: 
12,  r"*:  13,  r^:  14,  r^:  15-F*,  r^:  15-i^  and  15-^,  if. 

The  italics  denote  mis-spelt  legends,  and  the  asterisks,  reverse  dies  used 
with  both  mailed  and  draped  obverses. 


CONNECTICUT.  217 

1787.     DRAPED   BUSTS. 

These,  though  much  more  common  than  are  the  mailed  busts,  furnish 
several  specimens  of  extreme  rarity.  It  will  not  be  necessary  to  note  every 
variety  of  them,  but  only  some  of  those  which  are  not  often  seen,  or  which 
present  marked  peculiarities. 

No.  16.  This  variety  is  not  common,  and  from  one  die  we  have  seen 
but  one  impression. 

JSTo.  18  is  illustrated  on  Plate  V.  No.  16. 

No.  20  has  peculiar  punctuation  and  large  letters  ;  it  is  seldom  found. 

No.  25  is  very  curiously  punctuated,  and  quite  rare.     [Plate  V.  No.  17.] 

No.  32.  Most  dies  of  this  are  common,  but  from  one,  we  have  seen  but 
one  impression  ;  its  letters  are  large,  and  the  die  shows  many  cracks.  Its 
reverse  is  from  the  die  most  frequently  found  with  the  connect. 

No.  33  is  the  most  common  variety,  and  it  is  found  with  so  many  dies, 
and  in  so  many  combinations,  that  at  least  seventy-nine  pieces  are  required  to 
represent  all  which  have  been  discovered.  Of  these,  seventy-one  are  in  the 
collection  of  Mr.  J.  Carson  Brevoort,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.   [Plate  Y.  No.  19.] 

No.  34  is  the  only  die  upon  which  we  have  found  large  fleurons  («•)• 

Nos.  35,  36  and  37,  have  small  fleurons  («■),  and  are  not  difficult  to  obtain. 

No.  38.     The  Aucioki.     It  is  found  with  two  reverses.     [Plate  V.  No.  21.] 

No.  39.  The  Auctobi.  It  is  found  in  three  dies,  with  three  reverse 
dies,  two  of  which  have  the  legend  estde  et  lir.     [Plate  Y.  No.  22.] 

Nos.  40,  41  and  42.  All  Auctopi.  The  reverses  of  these  are  from  three 
different  dies,  all  having  the  legend  inde  et  iih.     [Plate  Y.  No.  23.] 

No.  43.  AuCTORi  CoNNFC.  The  punctuation  of  its  reverse  is  peculiar. 
[Plate  Y.  No.  18.] 

No.  16-L  and  16-M,  r-:  16~N,  r":  17,  r':  18,  r^:  19,  r'':  20,  r^:  21,  r^: 
22,  R*:  23,  R^:  24-F  and  24-G,  r':  25,  r«:  26-D  and  26  i?  r^:  26  A;  r^: 
27,  R^:  28-M  and  28-N,  r^:  29-N,  r":  29-P,  r^:  30  X,  r:  30,-7/,  r':  31  G,  r': 
32-F*,  r":  33 -L,  r""":  33-Q,  r'':  33-T,  r'^:  33-//,  r^:  34,  r^:  35,  r'':  36  K  and 
36-L,  R^:  37,  c:  38-G  and  38-L,  r^:  39,  r-':  40,  i:':  11,  u':  42,  r^:  43,  r^ 

The  coins  of  1787,  omitting  No.  1,  previously  noted,  vary  in  weight,  from 
117  grains,  —  a  No.  4,  to  184  grains,  —  a  No.  9.  Most  of  the  mailed  busts 
exceed  the  legal  weight,  though  some  fall  much  below  it;  the  draped  busts 
show  less  variation,  few  of  them  much  exceeding  that  required,  and  many  of 
them,  when  slightly  worn,  falling  a  little  short  of  it. 


218  THE    EA1;LY    COESTS    of   AMERICA. 

1788.     MAILED    UUSTS. 

No.  1  ol"  1788,  is  identical  with  No.  1  of  1787,  and  in  its  reverse  with  b 
of  the  Vermont  coins.  |  Plate  V.  No.  24.]  This  also  is  a  light  piece,  unique, 
so  far  as  we  know,  weighing  but  89  grains.  Its  lettering  agrees  closely  with 
that  of  some  of  the  Vermont  coins,  many  of  the  New  Jersey,  the  first  of  the 
GEORCiivs  •  III  •  REX  •    (page  192,)  and  with  others,  which  will  be  noted  later. 

No.  2  is  punctuated  with  mullets  (•)  ;  wreath  of  seven  leaves  and  three 
berries.     Its  reverse  is  from  the  same  die  with  that  of  the   second  variety  of 

the    GEORGIVS   HI.    REX. 

No.  3.     A  very  rare  variety,  with  small  head,  five  leaves  and  two  berries. 

No.  4.     Another  rare  variety;  wreath  of  seven  leaves.     [Plate  V.  No.  25.] 

No.  5.     The  head  much  like  that  of  No.  4;  wreath  of  seven  leaves. 

No.  G.     Head  lai'ger  ;  seven  leaves  and  three  berries  ;  extremely  rare. 

No.  7.     Head  to  left;  twelve  leaves  in  triplets. 

No.  8.     The  same  die  with  No.  12  of  1787. 

No.  9.     "Wreath  of  seven  leaves  and  three  berries. 

No.  10.     Twelve   leaves,  in   trijjlets.     An  extremely  rare  variety. 

No.  11.     Twelve  leaves,  in  triplets,  and  six  berries. 

No.  12.  Twelve  leaves,  in  triplets;  one  die  with  three  berries,  the  other 
has  none.     [Plate  V.  No.  26.] 

No.  13.     AucTORi  coxxLc;  leaves  and  berries  in  triplets. 

No.  1,  r";  2,  r':  3,  r«:  4-B  and  4-K,  r^:  5,  r":  G,  r'^:  7,  r^:  8,  r^:  9,  r": 
10,  K^':  11,  R^:  12,  R':  13,  r^ 

1788.     DHAl'El)    JirsTS. 

No.  14.     In  one  die  the  letters  are  closely,  in  the  other  widely  sj^aced. 

No.  1.").  In  one,  the  last  cincjuefoil  is  below  the  shoulder,  in  the  other, 
it  is  above  it. 

No.  IG.  Four  of  these  dies  are  much  alike.  The  other  has  both  letters 
and  characters  larger,  and  the  reverse  is  lndl  et  lib.      [Plate  V.  No.  27.] 

No.  14,  R^:  15,  R^:  IG-D*,  r^:  1G  H*    r":  16-N,  r^ 

The  coins  of  1788  average  of  lighter  weight  than  those  of  any  other 
year,  few  of  them  being  up  to  the  standard.  The  extremes,  (omitting  No.  1,) 
are  108,  and  168  grains,  both  specimens  of  No.  12. 

We  have  not  fixed  the  rai-ity  of  all  combinations  of  any  year,  but  have 
intended  to  give  that  of  at  least  one  of  each  variety,  those  not  given  being 
more  common.     Numbers  31,  32,  33,  and  37,  are  the  most  common  varieties. 


CONNECTICUT.  2  If) 

It  is  very  ditKcult  correctly  to  estimate  the  rarity  of  the  different  varieties, 
as  it  sometimes  happens  that  one  which  is  very  rare  in  one  section  of  the 
country,  is  not  so  in  another.  Possibly  the  entire  coinage  of  some  dies  may 
have  been  sent  to  distant  parts,  and  there  remained  until  thrown  out  of 
circulation:  thus  many  specimens  fi-om  these  dies  might  be  iound  in  those 
localities,  though  almost  if  not  quite  unknown  elsewhere.  These  remarks  will 
equally  apply  to  the  coins  of  all  the  States. 

In  Dickeson's  tables  of  these  coins,  we  find  recorded  nine  ''types"  of 
1785.  Thirteen  varieties  of  these  are  said  to  face  left,  twelve  of  which  are 
rated  as  of  only  the  first  and  second  degrees  of  rarity.  We  have  been 
unable  to  find  dies  corresponding  with  more  than  four  of  these  "types,"  and 
of  those  facing  left,  we  have  found  but  two  specimens,  these  being  of  the 
two  rarest  varieties. 

Of  the  coins  of  178(3,  he  records  eleven  "types":  —  we  find  but  seven. 

Of  1787,  he  gives  ninety-three,  we  find  but  forty-three;  and  of  1788, 
thii'ty-five,  while  we  find  but  sixteen. 

The  discrepancy  in  these  numbers  is  so  great  as  to  require  some  notice. 

I'robably  Dr.  Dickeson,  (the  second  edition  of  whose  work,  —  from  which 
these  numbers  are  taken,  —  was  pu])lished  in  I860,)  had  unequalled  facilities 
for  obtaining  varieties,  there  being  then  quantities  of  colonial  coins  sent  to 
the  mint  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  resided,  and  he,  we  have  been  informed, 
had  every  opportunity  to  examine  and  to  select  such  as  he  desired  ;  few  other 
collectors  wei-e  then  interested  in  procuring  varieties,  and  he  probably  obtained 
some  not  now  to  be  found.  Yet  the  fact  that  nine  of  those  upon  his  table 
for  1787  are  dui)licated,  justifies  us  in  the  opinion  that  errors  were  also  made 
in  the  examination  of  specimens,  and  that  the  inunbers  upon  his  tables  were 
thereby  much  increased. 

The  numbers  duplicated  are,  Xo.  2,  by  Nos.  75  and  70:  27,  by  32:  28, 
by  79:  29,  by  80:  49,  by  H'):  51,  by  52  and  87:  and  89,  by  90. 

.But  to  return  to  tlic   record:  — 

The  next  step  was  tlu'  passage  of  a  l)ill  lor  preventing  the  coining  of 
copper  by  any  person,  otlur  than  lliosc  authorized. 

"October  1785. 
"An  Act  to  j)rohibit  the  Coining  of  Copper  without  permission  first   had 
and  obtained  of  the  General  Assembly  — 

"lie  it  enacted  by  the  Governor  Council  and  Kepresentalives  in  General 


220  THE    EARLY    COIN^S    OF    AMERICA. 

Court  Assembled  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same  that  no  person  whatever 
shall  Coin  or  Manufacture  any  Copper  Coin  of  any  description  or  size  with- 
out permission  first  had  and  obtained  from  the  General  Assembly  on  pain  of 
forfeiting  for  each  offence  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds  lawful  Money 
which  forfeitiu'e  shall  be  if  sued  for  by  a  private  person  one  Moiety  thereof 
to  the  use  of  the  person  prosecuting  to  Eftect  and  the  other  Moiety  thereof 
to  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  to  and  for  the  use  of  this  State  and  shall  be 
recoverable  by  Action  of  Debt  or  Information  before  any  Court  proper  to 
try  the  same  — 

"Passed  in  the  Lower  House 

"  Test  Jedidiah  Strong  Clerke " 

"  Concurred  in  the  Upper  House 

"  (Oct  1785)  Test  George  Wyllys  Secret'y  " 

The  record  of  the  passage  of  the  above  is  :  — 

"Monday  Afternoon  24'.'1  Oct'-   1785 
"  Passed  a  Bill   to   pi-cvent   Coining   Coppers   without  Licence   from   the 
General  Assembly." 

An  act  was  soon  proposed,  for  the  remedy  of  the  evils  produced  by 
countei-feit  coin;  this  was  passed  in  the  Lower  House,  but  defeated  in  the 
Upper.  "  (May  178(3) 

"  Whereas  great  Quantities  of  base  and  Counterfeit  Copper  Coin  are 
already  imported  &  circulating  in  this  State  and  there  is  great  Danger  of 
further  Importations  thereof,  to  the  great  Loss  &  Injury  of  the  Citizens  of  this 
State  —  Which  Mischief  to  prevent  —  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Council 
and  Representatives,  in  General  Court  Assembled  &  by  the  Authority  of  the 
same  —  that  whatever  Person  shall  impoit  into  this  State  any  Copper  Coin 
of  any  Description  or  Size,  to  a  greater  number  than  fifty,  except  such  as 
shall  be  coined  &  put  forth  by  the  Authoi-ity  of  Congress  or  some  one  of 
the  united  States  and  of  equal  Value  with  the  Copper  coined  in  this  State 
by  lawful  Authority  —  shall  on  Con\dction  thereof  before  any  one  Assistant 
or  Justice  of  the  Peace,  pay  a  fine  of  Ten  Pounds  lawful  Money  for  each 
Oftence  Provided  always,  that  Liberty  of  an  Appeal  to  the  next  County 
Court  shall  be  allowed,  fi-om  the  Determination  of  such  Assistant  or  Justice 
of  the  Peace  on  the  Party  so  appealing  becoming  bound  with  sufficient 
Surety  to  prosecute  such  appeal  to  eftect  &  answer  all  Damages  in  Case  he 
make  not  his  Plea  good  — 


CONNECTICUT.  221 

"  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid,  that  all  such 
CopjDer  Coin  so  imported  into  this  State,  shall  be  treated  &  disposed  of  in 
the  same  manner  as  counterfeited  Coin  — 

"Passed  in  the  Lower  House 

"Test  Jedidiah  Strong  Gierke." 

"Dissented  to  in  the  upper  House 

"Teste  George  Wyllys  Secret'y  " 

In  accordance  with  the  acts  already  printed,  the  coinage  of  copj)er  was 
commenced  in  1785,  and  continued,  if  we  may  rely  upon  the  records  as 
evidence,  until  1789,  although  we  find  no  coins  bearing  date  later  than  1788. 
But  in  January,  1789,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  pro- 
ceedings in  this  business.     It  was  then  :  — 

"  Resolved  b}^  this  Assembly,  that  Daniel  Holbrook  &  James  Wadsworth 
Esquires  be  &  they  are  hereby  appointed  to  enquire  into  the  conduct  of  those 
Persons  who  were  by  Resolve  of  Assembly  in  October  A  D  1785  authorized 
to  coin  &  manufacture  Coppers  &  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly 
whether  said  Resolve  of  Assembly  has  been  complied  with,  by  coining  the 
Coppers  equal  in  value  to  British  Half  pence  &  by  paying  into  the  Treasury 
of  this  State  one  Twentieth  part  of  all  Coppers  by  them  Coined  and  they 
are  directed  to  give  such  further  information  to  s'-'  Assembly  respecting  the 
transactions  of  those  persons  who  have  been  concerned  in  the  Manufacture 
of  Coppers  by  virtue  of  said  Resolve  of  Assembly  as  they  may  Judge  proper. 

"  Passed  in  the  Lower  House 


"  (Jan.  1789) 

"  Concurr''  in  the  u])per  House 


"Test  James  Davenport  Clerk" 


"Test  George  Wyllys  Secret'y" 


This  committee  met  on  the  7th  of  April,  1789,  and  thus  reported  to  the 
Assembly  at  their  session  in  the  following  May. 

-"  To  the  Honourable  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  to 
be  Holden  at  Hartford  on  the  Second  thursday  of  May  next  — 

"  We,  your  Honours  Committee  appointed  at  your  Sessions  in  January 
Last  to  enquire  into  the  Conduct  of  those  Persons  Who  Were  by  a  Resolve 
of  Assembly  in  Octob^  1785  authorized  to  Coin  and  manufacture  Coppers 
take  Leave  to  Rejjort  —  that  haveing  notefyed  the  Parties  to  Meet  at  the 
Dweling  House  of  John    Smith    Inholder  in   New    Haven  on   the  7!^    Day  of 


222  THE   EARLT   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

April  1789  Samuel  Bishop  James  Hilhouse  and  Mark  Leavenworth  Esq'f 
and  John  Goodrich  attended,  and  haveing  examined  touching  the  Premises 
We  lind  that  on  the  12'A>  Day  of  Kovhv  1785  Samuel  Bishop  James  Hil- 
house John  Goodrich  &  Joseph  Hopkins  the  Origonal  Grantees  named  in  s'' 
Resolve  of  Assembly  entered  into  Articles  of  Agreement  With  Pierpoint 
Edwards  &  Jonathan  Tngersol  Esq?  and  Abel  Bewil  and  Elias  Shipman  and 
formed  a  Company  by  the  name  of  the  Company  for  Coining  Cop})ers  and 
thereby  became  Joint  Owners  of  the  Kight  of  Coining  Coppers  and  equal 
Sharers  of  the  Profit . . .  or  Loss  arising  therefrom  and  under  equal  Obligations 
to  Conform  to  the  Kegulations  of  s'.'  Resolve  that  they  Jointly  pursued  s** 
Business  initill  Feb'-  1786  when  s''  Ingersol  Sold  1/16  Part  of  s'.'  Company's 
Right  to  s'.'  Goodrich,  in  March  178(3  s'-'  Hopkins  Sold  1/16  Part  of  s'.'  Com- 
jjany's  Right  to  s'-'  Goodrich — -in  April  1786  s'-'  Edwards  &  Shipman,  sold  2/8 
Parts  and  s'-'  Ligei'sol  1/16  Part  of  s'-'  Company's  Right  to  James  Jarvis  Who 
Still  Continued  s'-'  Business  until  Some  Time  in  the  Summer  following  When 
wvmt  of  Stock  Obliged  them  to  Desist  —  that  on  the  lO'.'l  of  Sep'.'  1786  The 
Company  leased  s'-'  grant  &  Apparatus  for  Coining  Coppers  to  Mark  Leaven- 
worth Esq!'  Isaac  Bakhvin  &  William  Leavenworth  for  Six  AVeeks  or  So  many 
days  Over  as  the  Works  Shoidd  be  Useless  by  Reason  of  the  Failure  of  Any 
of  the  Implements  takeing  their  Bond  to  Confoi'm  to  s'^  Resolve  of  Assembly 
under  Which  lease  they  improved  the  Apparatus  about  eight  weeks  — 

"That  on  the  first  of  Nov':  1786  the  Company  Agreed  by  A  Cei'tain 
Writing  luidcr  theii"  hands  for  the  greater  Advantage  of  Carrying  on  s"? 
Coinage  to  improve  s'.'  Apparatus  Seperately  by  Certain  Periods  of  time 
Agreed  upon— that  on  the  17V.'  of  Xov':''  1786  s'.'  Goodrich  Sold  to  s'-'  Mark 
Leavenworth  Isaac  Baldwin  and  William  Leavenworth  1/8  part  of  s'-'  Com- 
pany's Right  —  that  in  Jan^:  1787  s'?  Hopkins  sold  to  s'-'  Goodrich  1/16  Part 
of  s'J  Comp>:f  right  —  that  about  the  1?'  of  Jime  1787  s'-'  Bishop  &  s'-'  Good- 
rich Sold  to  s'^'   Jarvis  2/8  Parts  of  s'.'  Comp>^  Right. 

"  That  the  Presint  Owners  are  James  Jarvis  4/8  &  1/16  Parts 
"James  Hilhouse  Esqi    1/8  Part 

"Mark  Leavenworth  Esq'-    1/8  Part 

"Abel  Buel  1/8  Part 

"&  John  Goodrich  1/16  Part 

Who  carryed  on  the  Coinage  of  Coppers  until  About  the  1?'  day  of  June 
1787  Since  which  Time  they  have  ceased  to  Carry  on  s''  Business  —  and  on 
Examination    s?    Bishop   Hilhouse   Leavenworth   and  Goodrich  Declared   that 


CONNECTICUT.  223 

they  had  not  put  of  or  into  Circulation  any  of  s'?  Coppers  Except  they  had 
been  Inspected  — 

"  We  further  find  by  A  Certificate  from  three  of  the  Inspectors  that 
there  had  been  Inspected  by  the  Com'*''  of  Inspection  twenty  eight  Thousand 
nine  Hundred  and  forty  four  Pounds  Weight  of  Coined  Coppers  —  that  the 
One  Twentieth  Part  thereof  is  1447'''  3?.'  AVliich  being  estimated  at  18 
Coppers  for  One  Shilling  amounts  to  One  Hundred  Xinety  two  Pounds 
nineteen  Shilling  &  2'-'  —  That  it  appears  from  the  Treasurers  Receipts  that 
he  had  rec'?  One  Thousand  three  Hundred  &  Eighty  Six  Pound  &  one 
oz  —  of  Coined  Coppers  Delivered  into  the  Treasury  at  Various  times  which 
being  Estimated  at  Eighteen  Coppers  for  One  Shilling  Amounts  to  One 
Hundred  Eighty  four  Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings  &  /2'.'  which  leaves  a  Ballance 
Due  the  State  of  Sixty  one  Pound  &  two  oz-  of  Coined  Coppers  Which 
at  the  rate  Above  s''  amounts  to  Eight  Pound  three  Shillings  —  We  do  not 
find  that  s''  Comp-  have  permited  any  Person  to  coin  Coppers  in  the  Works 
belonging  to  s'-'  Company  exept  those  Coppers  herein  before  Mentioned  — 
We  fuither  find  from  the  Information  of  Maj-  Eli  Leavenworth  that  he  has 
Made  blank  Coppers  the  Last  fall  had  them  Stamped  in  New  york  With 
Various  Impressions  —  Some  few  of  them  With  an  Impression  Simular  to  the 
Impresion  of  the  Coppers  Coined  by  the  Aforementioned  Comp5  — We 
further  find  that  Abel  Bewel  has  Gone  to  Europe  that  previous  to  his 
Departure  he  gave  his  Son  Benjamin  Bewel  Liberty  to  coin  Coppers  Which 
Bussiness  he  is  now  pursuing  and  has  Just  began  to  Stamp  them  All 
which  is  humbly  submitted  by  your  Honors  most  obedient  humble  Servants 

"  James  AVads worth 

"  New  Haven  April  )  «  Daniel  Ilolbrook  —  " 

9».^  1789  ) 

"In  the  House  of  Kepresentatives 

"The  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  is  accepted  &  approved 

"  Test  James  Davenport  Clerk " 
"In  the  Uper  House 

"Concured   in  Accepting    this    Report  With    addition    that    it    be   trans- 
mitted to  the  Treasurer's  Ollice  — 

"  Teste  George  Wyllys  Secret'y " 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives 

"  On  reconsideration  Concurred 

"  Test  James  Davenport  Clerk " 


224  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

In  consequence  of  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  investigation,  the 
Assembly  passed  this  resolve,  suspending  the  coinage  from  the  20th  of  June, 
to  the  end  of  the  next  session  :  — 

"Whereas  this  Assembly  did  at  their  Sessions  holden  at  New  Haven  in 
Oct';  1785  granted  Liberty  and  Licence  to  Samuel  Bishop  Esq^  and  others 
to  Manufacture  or  Coin  Copper  under  the  Authority  of  this  State  during  the 
pleasure  of  this  Assembly  not  exceeding  five  yeai-s  — 

"Resolved  by  this  Asseml)ly  that  all  further  proceedings  by  Virtue  of 
or  Under  said  Grant  be  and  the  same  are  hereby  suspended  from  and  after 
the  20'"  day  of  June  1789  untill  the  rising  of  the  General  Assembly  to  be 
holden  at  jSTew  Haven  on  the  2'.'  Thursday  of  Oct':  next  and  that  the  Pro- 
prietors to  and  all  Persons  Interested  undei-  said  Grant  be  notified  to  appear 
before  said  General  Assembly  and  shew  Reason  if  any  they  have  why  said 
Grant  should  not  case  —  And  the  publication  of  this  Resolve  in  one  of  the 
l!^ews  Papers  in  the  City  of  Xew  Haven  on  or  before  the  15'."  day  of  June 
1789  shall  be  sutticient  Notice  to  such  Proprietors  — 

"  Pass''  in  the  upper  House 

"  (May  1789)  Test  George  Wyllys  Secret  y 

"  Concurred  in  the  House  of  Representatives 

"  Test  James  Davenport  Clerk " 

This  was  in  efi'ect  the  conclusion  of  the  business  of  this  mint. 

The  preceding  documents  are  copied  fi-om  the  originals  preserved  in  the 
State  Library  at  Hartford,  —  "Miscellaneous,"  Vol.  HI.  pp.  243  to  251. 

The  latest  records  we  find  having  reference  to  this  subject  relate  to  the 
disposal  of  the  coin  belonging  to  the  State,  as  its  share  in  the  coinage  of 
this  mint.  The  first  of  these  is  dated  December,  1790.  "  Resolved  by  this 
Assembly  that  the  Treasurer  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to 
sell  and  dispose  of  the  Copper  Coin  in  the  Treasury  of  this  State  for  the 
Liquidated  notes  or  Securities  of  this  State  provided  he  can  obtain  two 
shillings  in  said  Notes  or  Securities  pr  pound  weight  for  said  Coppers." 

The  other  is  dated,  "  May  Session  1791,"  and  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Resolved  by  this  Assembly  that  the  Treasurer  be  and  he  is  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  dispose  of  the  Coppers  now  in  the  Treasury 
and  the  property  of  this  State  to  the  best  advantage  and  Report  make  of 
his  proceedings  in  said  Business." 


MASSACHUSETTS 


coppEij  crinjExcY. 


As  Massachusetts  was  the  only  colony  that  established  a  mint  for  the 
coinage  of  silver,  so  also  was  she  the  only  one  known  to  have  considered  a 
pro])osal  for  the  importation  of  a  supply  of  copper  coin  for  small  change  ; 
in  fact,  her  attention  seems  to  have  been  almost  unremittedly  dii-ected  toward 
some  project  for  furnishing  a  supply  of  money,  either  of  metal  or  paper. 

Of  the  proposition  of  William  Chalkhill,  we  have  no  knowledge  other 
than  that  supplied  by  the  ensuing  records.' 

March  17th,  1702-3,  "A  Memorial  of  William  Chalkhill,  One  of  the 
Monyers  of  Her  Majesties  Mint  in  the  Tower  of  London  now  resident  in 
Boston  Proposing  That  if  the  Government  think  fitt,  He  would  undertake 
to  bring  over  hither  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  in  Copper  Money,  at  Such  Prices 
and  Values  as  shall  be  Agreed  upon,  Was  Sent  up  fi-om  tlu-  House  of 
Representatives,  and  read  " 

March  19th.  "Proposals  Offered  by  William  (,!h:ill<hill,  One  of  the 
Moneyers  of  Hei'  Maj'''''  Mint  in  the  Tower  of  London  to  furnish  the 
Province  from  England  with  Small  Money  of  Copper  to  the  Value  of  Ten 
Thousand  pounds  Sent  up  from  the  Representatives,  were  read     And 

"  Resolved 

"That  John  Walley,  Penn  Townsend,  and  Andrew  Belcher  Esq^  be  a 
Committee  of  the  Board  to  joine  with  Such  as  shall  be  Named  by  the 
House  of  Representatives  to  Consider  of  the  said  Proposals,  And  to  make 
their  report  thereupon  —  Which   Resolve  being  Sent  to  that  House  for  their 

1  ('(.ml    lU'i'onls,  Yo].  vii.,  ],],.  370,  373,  .37S,  mikI  asi. 


226  THE    EAKLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

Concurrance,  "Was  returned  Agreed  to,  And  M"^  Nehemiah  Jewett,  Capt 
Samuel  Checkley,  and  Capt  Samuel  Phips  iN^amed  to  be  of  the  Committee 
for  that  Ailau-" 

March  26th,  1703.  "The  Report  of  the  Committee  upon  the  Proposals 
Offered  by  M':  William  Chalkhill,  was  brought  in  by  John  Walley  Esq^  Chair- 
man and  read,  and  laid  upon  the  Table.  The  said  report  being  in  favour 
of  an  Agreement  for  £5000  only  and  y'  in  Pence." 

March  27th,  1703.  "  The  Report  of  the  Committee  upon  the  Proposals 
offered  by  M"^  William  Chalkhill  for  Furnishing  of  the  Province  with  small 
Money  of  Copper  was  sent  down  to  the  Representatives  at  their  Desire,  & 
return'd  again  from  that  House  with  their  Resolve  thereupon  ;  Viz. 

"  That  the  Report  of  the  Committee  be  Accepted,  And  John  AValley 
Andrew  Belcher  &  Samuel  Legg  Esq'''  &  Cpt.  Samuel  Checkley  be  appointed 
&  Impowered  a  Committee  forthwith  to  draw  Articles  of  Agreement  with 
the  said  M"^  Chalkhill  accordingly,  And  the  Covenants  ...  &  Engagements 
of  the  said  Comm'':''  in  this  Affair  shall  be  ratified  and  made  good  by  this 
Court; 

"  W''  Resolve  being  read  at  the  Board,  &  the  Question  put,  for  Con- 
currence It  was  not  Consented  to.  But  refer'd  to  Consideration  at  the  next 
Court,  if  then  Offered." 

Felt  says,  "  This  appears  to  have  been  accomplished,"  but  as  we  find  no 
mention  of  the  affair  subsequently,  we  infer  that  no  further  action  Avas  taken 
upon  the  subject. 

Probably  the  largest  importation  of  specie  that  was  made  during  the 
colonial  period  was  that  of  the  money  voted  by  the  Parliament  of  Great 
Britain  for  the  reimbursement  of  the  expenses  incurred  by  Massachusetts  on 
account  of  the  expedition  against  Cape  Breton. 

The  amount  of  the  expenses  of  that  expedition  which  it  was  estimated 
had  been  defrayed  by  this  Province  was  £'183,619  2  7i  sterling.  It  was  de- 
cided by  Parliament,  that  this  amount  should  be  repaid,  and  a  large  quantity 
of  silver  and  copper  coin  was  therefore  procured,  and  forwarded  to  Boston 
for  that  }nirpose. 

According  to  the  invoice,  the  silver  amounted  to  six  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  ounces,  requiring  two  hundred  and  seventeen  chests  to  contain  it, 
while  the  copper  halfpence  and  farthings  weighed  ten  tons,  for  the  trans- 
portation of  which  one  hundred  casks  were  purchased. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  227 

The  arrival  of  this  remittance  is  thus  mentioned  on  tlie  Coniicil  records:  — 

"Monday  Sept':  18".'  1749/' 

"  His    Majesty's    Ship  the    Mermaid  Cap'    Montague    Coniinander 

being  this  Day  arrived  in  the  Harbour  of  Boston  from  Great  Britain  with 
the  Money  allowed  by  Parliament  to  this  Province  foi"  defraying  tluir  Charges 
in  the  late  Expedition  against  Cape  Breton:  —  William  BoUan  Esq^  one  of 
the  Agents  for  this  Province  for  receiving  the  said  Money  being  arrived 
in  the  said  Ship,  was  admitted  into  Council,  &  gave  the  Board  a  general 
Account  of  his  Proceedings  in  that  &  other  Affairs  of  the  Province  in  his 
Management. 

"  Captain  Montague  being  also  admitted  into  Council,  informed  the  Board 
that  he  was  now  ready  to  deliver  the  abovesaid  Money  sent  hither  by  his 
Majesty's  Ship  Mermaid  as  soon  as  the  Treasurer,  was  ready  to  receive  it." 

"  Se])tem':  19'."  1749  .  .  .  The  Secretary  laid  before  the  Board  a  publick 
Letter  sul)scribed  by  the  Hon^'."  Sir  Peter  AYarren  &  William  Bollan  Esq! 
surviving  Agents  for  this  Province  for  receiving  the  Money  allowed  by  Par- 
liament for  the  Chai-ges  on  the  Expedition  against  Cape  Breton,  &  informing 
the  Government  of  their  Proceedings  as  to  the  receiving  and  Shipi^ing  the 
said  Money,  with  an  Invoice  thereof,  &  an  Account  Currant,  containing 
Charges  in  the  said  Aftair." 

The  possession  of  so  considerable  au  amount  of  money  seems  to  have 
been  the  source  of  much  anxiety  to  the  authorities,  and  they  at  once  set 
themselves  about  finding  a  place  where  it  might  be  securely  deposited;  their 
action  upon  this  point  is  related  in  the  records. as  follows:  — 

"  Voted,  that  Ezekiel  Lewis  &  Samuel  Danforth  Esq?  go  with  M":  Trea- 
surer Foye  to  his  House  in  King's  Street,  &  see  if  there  be  any  convenient 
Place  for  Lodging  the  publick  Money  there,  &  treat  with  the  Tenant  about 
her  Removal  in  Order  to  the  Treasurer  &  his  Famiiys  Removing  thither. 

"Mr.  Lewis  reported  thereupon  1  hat  the  Committee  had  viewed  the  House 
(which  they  found  well  accommodated  for  receiving  the  said  Money)  &  dis- 
coursed with  tlie  Tenant,  who  could  by  no  Means  be  persuaded  to  remove 
out  of  it. 

"Voted  thereupon,  That  a  lirick  Arch  be  built  in  the  CeUar  of  the 
House  where  the  Treasuri'r  now  dwells  foi-  the  Reception  of  the  Province 
Money  from  on  ])oard  his  Majesty's  Ship  Mermaid  as  soon  as  may  be,  &  that 
Samuel  Danforth  &  Andrew  Oliver  Esq"  assist  the  Treasurer  in  tlie  said 
Affair." 


228 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 


The  following  extracts  are  from  the  invoice  of  the  agents  :  — 
"  Invoice  of  Silver  and  Copper  purchased  by  Order  of  the  Honourable 
the  Great  and  General  Court  of  His  Majesty's  Province  of  the  Massachusetts 
Bay  in  America  by  the  Hono*"?^  Sir  Peter  Warren,  Knight  of  the  Bath  and 
William  Bollan  Esquire,  shipped  on  board  His  Majesty's  Ship  Mermaid, 
Captain  John  Montague  Commander,  bound  to  Boston  for  Account  and  on 
the  Kisque  of  the  said  Province  to  be  delivered  to  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Same  for  the  Time  being.     Viz'. 


'  M.  B 

N°   1  (a)  206  Chests  each  containing  3000  Ounces  of  milled  pi  of   | 

in  Bags 
207  (a)  214  containin 

215  containing  Halves  D" 

216  containing  1000  oz  Halves  D" 


each  3000  Ounces  Pillar  ^  of  | 


876|  niixt  1)° 
423A  D«    Half 

"  217   containing  milled  j^ 


281  i  milled 
418i  I)»    Sma 

of"| 


Total  8ix  hundred  and  tiftv  thousand  Ounces 


618,000 

24,000 
3,000 

3,000 

2,000 
650,000  " 


"Copper    coined    in    Halfpence    &   Farthings    bought    at   His    Majesty's 
Mint.     Yiz.'. 


Tons    Cw-t 

7   :  18  of  Halfpence  (a>  flO  11  4  43  Cwt 
2   :     2  of  Farthings  (a)  £10  10  4  ^  Cwt 


10  Tons  cost 


1699  10  8 
441  14  0 

2111     4  8' 


8  15  0 
10 

9     5     0 


Among  the  expenses  are:  — 

"Pai<l  for  100  Casks  (a)  1/9  each  ..... 

Paid  to  Porters  for  loading  them  .  .  .  •  • 

"  Paid   Fees  at  the  Custom    House,  to    the    Searchers  and  for  Officers  > 
attendance  at  the  Bank         .  .  .  •  ■  •  ' 

Paid  George  Clark,  Carrier,  for  Carriage   of   the    Silver  and    Copper  v 

from   Sonthwark  to  Portsmouth,  and  for  the  Hire  of  Vess(ds  to  V    157     1     0 
carry  it  on  board  tlie  Mermaid        .  .  •  -  •  •' 

Paid   the   Escort   of   a   Sergeant  and  twelve  Men  who  guarded   the  ) 
Money  to  Portsmouth  .  .  .  •  •  •  •' 

Paid  Charges  ujjon  the  Road  and  at  unlading  at  Portsmouth 

Paid  the  Searchers  at  Portsmouth  ,  .  .  .  • 


24  13     6 

3  10  10 
10     6" 


Many  collectors  have  noticed  the  frequent  appearance  of  fine  specimens 
of  English  halfi)ence  and  tarthings  dated  17-19;  the  presence  of  these  may  be 
accounted  for  by  this  impoi'tatiou. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  U29 

This  specie  was  appropriated  to  the  redemption  of  the  bills  of  credit,  or 
paper  money  of  the  Province;  and  by  means  of  it  tiie  g-reater  part  of  the 
issues  then  outstanding,  were  taken  up. 

The  first  document  we  find  i-tlating  to  the  coinage  of  cop])er  in  Massa- 
chusetts, is  the  i^etition  presented  by  Seth  Reed  of  Uxbridge,  asking  liberty 
to  coin  copjxM-  and  silver,  which  he  represented  to  be  the  product  of  native 
ores.  The  original  petition,  which  Ave  next  present,  with  the  action  of  the 
two  Houses  as  entered  thereupon,  is  preserved  in  the  Senate  archives. 

"To  the  honorable  the  Senate  and  Ilonse  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  assembled.     March  178G  — 

"The  memorial  of  Seth  Reed  — 
humbly  represents  that  it  is  in  his  power  to  obtain  a  considerable  quantity 
of  copper  &  silver  from  bodies  of  ore  within  the  United  States  —  that  he  has 
in  his  possession  and  is  ready  to  produce  to  the  honorable  Court  samples  of 
the  ore  aitd  of  the  production  of  the  same,  both  of  silver  and  cojiper,  when 
wrought  ;  which  he  conceives  will  evince  the  genuineness  of  the  metal  —  he 
supposes  that  l)y  coining  the  same,  the  public  may  be  greatly  benefitted, 
especially  when  the  present  scarcity  of  a  metallic  medium  is  considered,  and 
that  an  increment  of  the  medium  in  this  way,  will  uuicli  better  answer  the 
wishes  of  the  citizens  in  this  Commonwealth  at  large,  than  an  emission  of 
paper  currency.  —  he  conceives  that  the  extracting  the  metal  IVom  the  ore  in 
its  crude  state,  will  be  attended  with  great  expence  and  ti'()ui)le  as  also  the 
coining  it,  yet  believes  it  maybe  done  without  loss  to  the  adventurer  —  your 
memorialist  is  willing  to  make  an  attempt  of  this  kind,  if  he  may  be  so  ha])py 
as  to  meet  with  the  approbation  of  this  honorable  Court,  they  granting  to  him 
the  exclusive  right  of  coining  for  this  Commonwealth  during  such  time  as 
shall  be  deemed  necessary,  to  save  him  harmless  from  the  expence  which  he 
must  unavoidably  be  at  to  accomplish  the  business  ;  with  this  restriction  that 
in  cas-e  he  shall  not  coin,  at  any  future  time,  (within  the  term,  for  which 
such  exclusive  right  shall  be  granted)  so  nnich,  as  by  Government  he  may 
be  [)t'rmitted  to  do,   he  would  not  wish  to  be  Entitled   to  the   pri\  ilege. 

"  ^'(MU■  incHiorialisI,  in  this  proposal,  would  lia\i'  il  understood,  llial  he 
wishes  &  expects  to  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Government,  as  to  di\  ices, 
weight,  size  and  other  matters  relative  to  coinage. 

"Seth  Reed." 


230  THE    EARLY   COESTS    OF   AMERICA. 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives  March  8,  1786  Read  and  committed 
to  Mv  Ely,  M^  Mei-rick  &  Mv  Folger  with  such  as  the  Honble  Senate  may 
join.     Sent  up  for  concurrence  „^    ^^^.^^  Speaker." 

"In    Senate    March    9*    1786  — Read    &    concurred,    and    Hugh    Orr   & 

Richard  Cranch  Esci^  are  ioin'd —  „  r?      i    tji,-it       •     r    -o      •  it  55 

^  •'  "  Sam-  Philhps  jun'    Presid- " 

A  petition  was  soon  presented  l)y  James  Swan,  for  the  right  of  coining 
copper  only;  this  also  is  preserved  in  the  Senate  Archives,  and  is  as  follows: 

"  To  the  Honb'*"  the  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts. 

"  The  Petition  of  James  Swan  —  Humbh'  Shews 

"  That  your  Petitioner  with  the  Community  at  large  very  sensibly  feeling 
the  want  of  a  Circulating  Medium,  which  may  neither  depreciate,  be  exported, 
or  hoarded  by  the  Rich,  applies  to  this  Honourable  Court  for  leave,  by  Patent 
to  be  granted  for  the  purpose,  to  Coin  and  utter  Twenty  thousand  Pounds 
Value  in  Copper  under  the  following  restrictions,  or  such  other  as  you  may 
lay  him  under. 

"  1.  The  Coin  to  be  of  such  size  and  impression,  as  three  or  such  other 
number  of  persons  to  be  appointed  by  the  General  Court,  shall  determine. 

"  2.  The  same  persons  shall  be  judges  of  the  quality  of  the  metal. 

"3.  The  Value  of  the  Coin  to  be  determined  by  the  proportion  it  shall 
bear  in  weight,  to  the  British  halfpence,  or  to  the  French  sols. 

"4.  The  petitioner  shall  establish  the  mint  in  this  Commonwealth,  at  his 
own  expence  &  Cost. 

"  For  which  your  Petitioner  will  engage  on  condition  that  all  foreign 
Copper  Coin  of  whatever  denomination  be  declared  illegal  —  to  pay  into  the 
Treasury  of  the  Commonwealth,  five  &  one  half  ^  Cent  on  all  that  shall  be 
Coined,  for  the  benefit  of  the  publick,  which  shall  be  in  lieu  of  Impost  and 
every  other  dutie  whatever. 

"  The  proposed  Coin,  will  never  be  in  danger  of  being  exported,  and 
consequently  will  ever  continue  in  circulation: — at  the  same  time  that  it  will 
have  that  happy  effect,  it  must  be  agreeable  to  the  views  of  the  Legislature 
as  much  as  in  their  power,  to  spread  a  medium  which  can  without  loss  or 
depreciation  communicate  freely  amongst  the  poor,  &  which  may  tend  to 
retire  the  base  coin  that  is  so  plenty  amongst  us. 

"  To  urge  farther  reasons  to  actuate  your  Honors  to  grant  this  Patent — 


MASSACHUSETTS.  231 

must  be  needless;  or  to  mention  that  the  States  of  Kew-Jersey  &  Connecti- 
cut have  aiven  similar  ones  —  Your  Petitioner  rests  on  the  reasonableness  & 
utility  of  the  thing,  and  on  your  wish  &  constant  exertion  to  promote  the 
public  good.     He  therefoi-e 

"  Prays  the  Honb!  Court  to  grant  him  a  Patent  for  Coining  &  uttering 
Twenty  thousand  Povuids  Value  of  Copper,  within  such  space  of  time,  & 
under  such  restrictions  as  to  Your  Honors  shall  seem  meet:  and  as  in  duty 
bound  shall  ever  Pray 

"Boston  15  March  1786.  Jam.  Swan." 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives  March  16,  1786. 

"Read  &  committed  to  the  Committee  of  both  Houses  on  the  petition 
of  a  like  nature  from  S.  Reed  Esq'^ 

"  Sent  up  for  concurrence  A.  AVard  Speaker  " 

"  In  Senate  March  16,  1786  —     Read  and  concurred 

"  Sam'.  Phillips  junr  Preside  " 

The  statement  in  Swan's  petition,  that  New  Jersey  had  granted  a  similar 
right,  appears  premature,  as  no  records  are  found  indicating  any  action  upon 
this  subject  in  that  State,  until  the  23d  of  May  following. 

The  following  is  the  report  on  the  petition  of  Seth  Reed:  no  attention 
appeal's  to  have  been  paid  to  that  of  James  Swan. 

"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses  to  whome  was  committed  the  Petition 
of  Seth  Reed  Esq*:  have  attended  that  Service,  and  beg  Leave  to  report  as 
their  Opinion,  that  it  is  expedient  that  a  more  particular  Account  of  the 
Oars  mentioned  by  him  in  his  said  Petition,  and  larger  Samples  of  the  same, 
should  be  exhibited  to  this  Court,  than  those  that  have  been  already  pro- 
duced ;  and  also  that  the  Petitioner  bring  sufficient  Evidence  that  the  same 
Oars  are  the  Produce  of  Mines  tliat  arc  situated  witliin  the  Limits  of  this 
State. 

"And  the  Committee  further  report  as  their  Opinion,  tliat  the  said  Peti- 
tion be  referred  over  to  the  next  General  Court,  to  give  the  Petitioner  an 
Opertunity  of  producing  the  Samples  and  Evidence  aforementioned. 

"In  Senate  March  24".'  1786—    Read  &  accepted  — 

"  sent  down  for  concurrence  Saml  PhilliiJS  jun-  Presid-  " 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives  March  24,  1786 

"  Read  &  concurred  A.  Ward.  Sjieakor." 


232  THE    EARLY    COIXS    OF    A3IERICA. 

On  the  day  preceding  that  of  the  action  last  noted,  another  plan  was 
inti'odiiced  in  the  House  of  Representatives:  the  papers  relating  thereto  will 
next  be  given. 

March  23d,  1786.  "Ordered  that  Mr.  Hitchbourn,  Mr.  Grout  &  Mr. 
"Williams  of  Salem  be  a  Committee  to  Consider  of  the  expediency  and  prac- 
ticability of  coining  a  quantity  of  copper  or  Silver  money  &  report." 

The  committee  reported  this  resolve,  which  was  accepted  "  as  taken  into 
a  new  draft." 

"Resolved  that  His  Excellency  the  Governour  and  the  Hon'ble  Council 
be  &  hereby  ai-e  requested 

"To  consider  the  best  Method  to  be  adoj^ted  b}'  this  Commonwealth  for 
the  Coining  of  Silver  &  Copper,  to  determine  the  Value  of  the  several  Sorts 
of  Coin,  togather  with  the  Quantity  that  it  will  be  expedient  to  issue,  with 
proper  Devices  therefor,  and  what  Advantages  may  accrue  to  the  Common- 
wealth thereby,  and  to  make  Report  to  the  General  Coiu't  at  their  next 
Session." 

The  following  is  a  coj^y  of  the  paper  referred  to  as  a  "new  draft":  — 

"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 

"In  the  House  of  Rei^resentatives  March  24:'.''  178G 

"  Whereas  application  hath  been  made  to  this  Court  by  divers  Persons 
praying  for  a  Right  of  coining  Copper  in  this  Commonwealth 

"  Resolved  that  his  Excellency  the  Governour  and  the  Honble  the  Coun- 
cil be  &  they  are  hereby  requested  to  consider  of  the  Expediency  of  coining 
silver  and  Copper  in  this  Commonwealth,  and  if  in  their  Opinion  it  is  expe- 
dient that  either  be  coined,  that  they  consider  what  Quantity  it  will  be 
convenient  to  coin,  in  what  Mode  the  Business  should  be  conducted,  the 
proper  Devices  to  be  used,  and  the  Advantage  that  may  accrue  from  such 
coining  to  this  Commonwealth,  and  to  make  such  Communications  on  this 
Subject  to  the  General  Court  at  the  next  Session  as  they  may  think  condu- 
cive to  the  Interest  of  the  State  —  " 

This  resolve  was  then  brought  before  the  Council,  as  entered  on  their 
records,  Saturday  March  25th,  1780. 

"  His  Excellency  was  pleased  to  communicate  to  Coiuicil  a  Resolve  re- 
questing the  Governor  with  advice  of  the  Council  to  consider  the  best 
method  to  be  adopted  for  the  coining  of  Silver  &  copper  of  the  several  sorts 
of  Coin,  passed  the  twenty  fourth    instant    &    asked    the    Advice    of   Council 


MASSACHUSETTS.  233 

thereon  what  steps  were  expedient  to  be  taken  —  Advised  that  the  said 
Resolve  be  committed  to  His  Honor  the  Lieut.  Governor  &  Honble  Mf 
Adams  to  confer  with  the  persons  who  have  applied  for  a  right  of  coining 
coppers  in  this  Commonwealth,  &  to  consider  what  mode  is  necessary  to  be 
adopted  respecting  the  subject  of  said  Resolve  &  Report  —  " 
June  7th,  1786,  the  committee  reported  as  follows  :  — 
"The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Governor  &  Council  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  coining  silver  &  copper,  &  if  expedient,  what  quantity  it  will 
be  convenient  to  coin,  in  what  way  the  business  should  be  conducted,  the 
proper  devices  to  be  used,  &  what  advantage  will  accrue  to  the  Common- 
wealth, have  attended  the  service  &  take  leave  to  report.  That  your  Com- 
mittee did  not  enter  particularly  into  the  consideration  of  the  Coinage  of 
Silver,  as  they  apprehended  it  would  be  most  convenient  if  the  Alloy  & 
value  of  Silver  Coins  of  the  several  denominations  were  the  same  throughout 
the  United  States  which  cannot  be  effectually  accomplished  unless  Congress 
previously  consider  &  determine  upon  the  subject.  With  respect  to  the 
coinage  of  coppers,  your  Committee  have  received  proposals  from  James 
Swan  Esq^  who  has  offered  to  pay  into  the  Treasury  of  this  State  for  the 
benefit  of  the  publiek  the  sum  of  Eleven  hundred  Pounds  lawful  money 
or  in  case  the  sheeting  of  Copper  is  practicable  in  this  State,  twenty  two 
hundred  pounds,  in  consideration  of  this  Government's  granting  him  a 
patent  for  the  exclusive  right  of  coining  &  uttei'ing  twenty  thousand  jjounds 
lawful  money  value  in  copper,  under  certain  restrictions,  or  he  will  lend  the 
Government  fifty  thousand  pounds  for  a  term  of  years  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Privilege  aforesaid  —  Mr  Swan's  several  proposals  &  estimate  accompany  this 
report. — Your  Committee  have  entered  into  a  further  investigation  of  the 
charges  that  must  accrue  in  conducting  this  business  of  coining  —  Provided 
Government  sliould  establish  a  mint  foi'  coining  &  manufiu'turing  of  coppers 
at  their  own  expence,  &  under  their  own  immediate  direction  &  upon  the 
best  estimate  they  can  form,  they  find  the  costs  of  the  copper,  necessary  for 
coining  Twenty  thousand  pounds  lawful  money  value  in  coppers 

"Will  umoiint  to        ......  .        £8,250 

"  And  that  work  houses,  furnace,  Presses    Plating  Mill,  &  other  . 

aj)]>aratus,   together  with  the  fuel   &  wages  of   the  Workmen  ^      1,950 

&  others  imployed   in   the   Imsiness  will   eost       .  .  • 


10,200 

,     9,800 
business  will  arnnimt   to  at  least  the  sum  of      .  .  .  '  20  000  0  0 


consequently    that    the    ]irolils    arising    to     (ioverrinicMl    hy    this  J     o  soft 


234  THE    EARLY    COLNTS    OF    AMERICA. 

as  appears  by  the  estimates  herewith  exhibited  —  Your  Committee  further  re- 
port, that  in  the  prosecution  of  this  business,  Government  will  not  be  obliged 
to  advance  a  great  sum  to  set  it  a  going,  as  the  publick  have  a  large  quantity 
of  copper  oar  suitable  for  the  business  by  them,  if  they  choose  to  imploy  it 
that  way,  but  if  they  should  not  incline  to  do  that,  they  may  purchase  old 
copper  enough  at  two  or  three  months  credit,  to  be  paid  for  in  coppers  as 
soon  as  it  is  coined  —  Youi*  Committee  further  report,  that  in  case  the  Gov- 
ernment should  establish  a  mint  at  their  own  expenee,  it  would  be  most  con- 
venient for  the  Commonwealth  to  have  copper  coined  of  the  several  following 
denominations  viz'  .  .  .  Of  the  value  of  one  penny,  one  half  penny,  &  one 
farthing  lawful  money  &  in  such  proportions  of  each  as  shall  be  thought 
most  benefieial.  That  the  coining  of  copper  to  the  amount  of  Twenty  thou- 
sand Pounds  lawful  money  would  be  sufficient  for  the  present  year  —  That 
the  business  should  be  conducted  by  an  honest  skilful  man,  well  acquainted 
with  the  art,  he  to  be  under  the  controul  &  direction  of  a  Committee  con- 
sisting of  three,  who  should  superintend  the  business,  keep  the  keys  of  the 
coining  apparatus  &  stamps  &c  &  see  that  no  more  copper  was  coined  & 
emitted  than  ordered  by  the  Court. 

The  Devices  to  be  on  one  side         .... 
on  the  other  ....... 

"  As  the  Governor  &  Council  may  think  proper.  The  value  of  the  coin 
to  be  determined  by  the  proportion  it  shall  bear  in  weight  to  the  British 
halfpence  — 

"  The  Conmiittee  after  having  stated  these  facts  are  of  opinion  that  it 
will  not  be  for  the  interest  of  the  Public  to  grant  a  Patent  to  any  particular 
person  to  Com  &  utter  a  certain  sum  of  money  in  coppers  but  that  a  mint 
should  be  established  for  the  purpose  at  the  cost  &  expenee  of  the  Com- 
monwealth — 

"All  which  is  submitted 

Thomas  Cushing  y  order" 
"In  Council Read  &  accepted  — 

"Estimate  of  the  expenee  of  coining  Twenty  thousand  pounds  of  Cop- 
pers each  2/8  to  weigh  one  jjound  — 

"It    will    taku    at     lea.st    l(35,OOUib    of   Copper    to    make  £20,000  lawful)  £8''50 

money  iu  C'oppfis  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . ) 

Work  liou.<e,  furnace  &  other  a])paratus  will  cost  .             .             .  250 

4  Presses  at  £60  will  amount  to     .             .             .  .             .             .  240 


MASSACHUSETTS.  235 


"1   Plating  Mill,  ajjparatus  &ti  will  cost 
Fuel  for  melting  copper  «fec  will  cost 
8  hands  one  year  their  Wages  £60  ^  Ann 


"other  incideiil:il   iinfurscrn   cliarges  .... 
"The  undertaker  or  Su[)erintc'ndant's  Salary  ^  Ann 
Government's    Committee    to    insj)ect   to    consist   of    three    Persons    at 
£100  f  Ann  ...... 


160 

250 

480 

9,630 

20 

. 

250 

MIS    at  ) 

300 

£10,200 

"S.  Holteii 

"Edward 

CllttS  " 

The  ofiginal  draft  of  this  report  of  the  Committee  shows  these  erasures 
and  alterations.  After  the  words,  "  take  leave  to  report ",  are  erased  the 
words,  "  That  as  to  the  coinage  of  silver,  the  profits  attending  of  it  will  be 
so  small  as  not  to  be  worthy  the  attention  of  the  public."  The  phrase  "most 
convenient  for  the  Commonwealth,"  referi'ing  to  the  denominations  to  be 
coined,  originally  stood,  "  most  for  the  interest  of  the  Commonwealth ",  and 
the  opinion  of  the  Connnittee  was  first  set  down  as,  "  The  Committee  after 
having  stated  these  facts,  leave  it  with  the  Goveniour  and  Coinicil  to  con- 
sider and  detei'mine  whether  it  will  be  most  for  the  interest  of  the  public  to 
grant  a  Patent  to  any  particular  j)erson  for  such  valuable  consideration  as 
they  shall  think  proper,  to  coin  and  utter  a  certain  sum  lawful  money  value 
in  Copper,  or  to  establish  a  mint  for  this  piu'pose  at  their  own  cost  and 
expence." 

Ml'.  Swan's  papei's  next  follow  :  — 

"Calculation   liy  .laiiu-s  Swan 
"One  i)ound  weight  of  sheet  Copper  thinned   to  the   size  or  thickness   of    C'0|i]iers  )    f  money 
~f^  Certificate  of  Mi;    Innian  oi   ]M''.    Hrinimer  — 1/4'.'   Sti'rling     .  .     or     .  (        ~,.^  'J^^jj- 

"Note.  II'  that  price  should  he  higher  tliaii  it  can  now  he  i)urchased  at — - 
there  is  to  balance  it  the  loss  or  Waste  in  the  clippiTigs  or  Corner  pieces  formed 
in  stricking  off  every  Cojpper  and  which  are  nut  so  valuable  as  in-  Shei'ts  l)y  one 
half  ;  on  the  Waste  on  new  melting  those  clippings  &  running  tlictn  again  out 
in  to  sheets — and  on  exi)orting,  sheeting  &  importing  tiicni  again  (for  it  can't 
be  done  in  .Vmerica)  :  on  the  outlay  for  several  years  of  tlic  Mini  to  be  advanced 
Government  ;  and  on  the  risipic  by  the  Coppers  not  lieing  made  a  tender,  of  a 
great  loss  on  forcing  them  into  circulation — all  "I  wiiicli  will  I'lilly  niaki'  )'.''  or 
20  f  ct 

"Commissions  5  ^  ct  on    the   puicha>c,  it    other   charges    in    Kuropc    till    on  )        _  _   i  i; 
board   1   li>  ct  is  6         .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \  ''- 


236  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

"  Insiii-fince  to  America  —  3^ct.  .  .  .  .  .  .  OA 

"  Freight  to  America,  Trucking  charges,  Storage  ifeS*    .  .  .  .  -  -     1 

"Interest    of    money,  allowing    to    be    but    1    year    in    replacing    advances — \  ^  „ 

6  f  c*  .  ."  .  .  .  .  .  .  \  1^ 

"  Loss  on  difference  of  excli?    in  replacing  money  in  Europe  7^  ^?     .  .  lA 

"State  dutie  5^  "^  ct  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  -  -     1^ 

"  Expences  in  bnilding  the  mint.  Support  of  Committee  on  Coining  the  Cop-  J  „^^ 

per  making  &  renewing  dyes  A?  — 10  "^  Ct         .  .  .  .  )  ^^ 

"  For  advancing  money,  my  own  trouble  &*:    12  '^  Cent  .  .  .  3 


£-  2  10^ 
"The    Value    of    I'.''  Coined    Copper,    agreeable    to    the    Standard    of  [  o     e 

British  halfpence  —  is    .  .  .  .  .  .  .  i 


"Excess  to  be  cliarged  to  the  purchase  of  Copper  .  .  .  .     £-     -  2J" 

"  2"  Proposal. 

"  To  the  Honbl  Committee,  to  whom  is  referred  the  consideration  of  the 
subject  of  Coining  Copper. 

"Finding  it  the  belief  of  many,  that  they  can  Sheet  Copper  and  still  presei-ve 
its  mallabilitie,  altho'  I  never  could  get  any  to  demonstrate  it  to  me,  I  make  an 
additional  offer,  upon  the  sheeting  of  Copper  being  practicable  here,  of  Jive  and 
one  half  ~^  Cent  more,  to  Govei-nment  on  all  that  they  shall  think  proper  to  allow 
me  to  Coin,  the  same  to  be  paid  into  the  Treasury  in  Gold  or  Silver  at  the  end  of 
the  first  Session  of  the  General  Court,  next  after  the  mint  shall  have  began  to 
opperate  :  the  first  five  &  half  to  be  paid  on  granting  the  Patent. — 

" Boston  29  May  1786.  Jam.  Swan" 

"  3'^  Proposals 
"  To  the  Honbl!"  Committee  to  whom   is  referr'd  the  Consideration  of  the 
Subject  of  Coining  Copper. — 

"  If  neither  the  first  or  second  proposal  I  have  made,  should  be  accepted,  I 
offer  the  following  — 

"  That  the  General  Court  grant  Liberty  to  me  to  Coin  Fifty 
Thousand  pounds  in  Copper,  within  five  years  —  to  be  of  the  Standard  of  British 
half  pence  &  of  jDure  Copper. 

"For  which  — 
"I  will   lend   Goverment   Fifty  Thousand  pounds,  that    is   to  Say,   Five 
thousand  pounds  in  Silver  &  Gold,  to  be  paid  £1000,  at  the  End  of  the  first 
Session  of  the  General  Court,  £2000,  at  the  End  of  the  Second  &  £2000,  at  the 
End  of  the  third; 


MASSACHUSETTS.  237 

"  Twenty  thousand  pounds  in  Copper  Coin  to  be  delivered  half  yearly  in  a 
proportion  of  two  fifths  of  what  shall  then  be  coined,  and  Twenty  five  thousand 
pounds  in  Consolidated  Securities  of  the  Commonwealth  that  are  now  due,  or 
become  due  this  year  —  The  whole  to  be  new  funded  by  Ten  Treasurers  notes 
on  Interest  for  £5000,  each,  the  first  to  be  payable  three  years  hence,  &  so 
on  untill  I  receive  my  principal  in  thirteen  years  —  The  principal  &  Interest 
to  be  paid  in  Specie  only,  out  of  the  Excise  duties,  which  duties  shall  be  by 
a  special  resolve  or  Act,  continued  for  the  term  of  13  years  &  ai)]M-o])riated,  to 
this  purpose.  I  mention  Excise  only,  as  I  suppose  the  present  Impost  dutie 
will  Cease,  as  soon  as  the  Continental  Imposts  opperates.  — 

"  Jam.  Swan  " 

On  the  12th  of  June,  178(5,  this  message  from  the  Governor  was  received  : — 
"  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives  — 

"  By  a  Resolve  of  the  Genei-al  Court  of  the  24"'  of  March  last,  the  Governoiir 
and  Council  were  i-equested  to  consider  the  expediency  of  coining  Silver  and 
Copper  in  this  Commonwealth,  the  quantity  it  would  be  convenient  in  that  case 
to  coin;  in  what  mode  the  business  should  be  conducted;  the  propei-  devices  to 
be  used;  and  the  advantage  that  would  accrue  to  the  Commonwealth  from  such 
a  coinage. 

"I  laid  the  resolve  before  the  Council,  and  after  a  discussion  of  the  subject, 
a  Committee  Avas  appointed  to  consider  it  more  fully.  The  Committee  have 
reported;  and  their  report,  having  been  accepted  by  the  Council,  is  now  with  the 
pajiei-s  to  which  it  refers,  laid  before  you  for  your  consideration  — 

"  Upon  the  subject  of  a  coinage  I  have  had  a  letter  of  the  18'."  of  May  from 
one  of  our  Delegates  in  Congress,  the  honorable  Ml  Gorham,  enclosing  the  report 
of  the  Treasury  Board,  relating  to  the  establishment  of  a  Mint:  which  Rejiort  it 
was  expected  would  in  a  few  days  be  considered  by  Congress. 

"Mr  Gorham  taking  notice,  that  according  to  the  News-papers,  proposals  had 
been  made  to  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  relative  to  a  Cojjper  Coinage, 
observes,  that  it  is  api)rt'lu'nded,  it  will  be  attended  with  great  inconveniences  if 
the  States  should  act  in  this  matter  sepai'ately;  that  after  Congress  had  agreed 
upon  a  plan,  which  they  will  soon  do,  there  might  be,  and  it  would  be  of  great 
utility,  there  should  be,  an  uniformity  in  the  money  throughout  the  Union;  and 
that  Massachusetts  and  any  other  State,  after  knowing  the  terms,  on  wliicli  the 
Board  of  Treasui-y  would  conduct  this  business,  could  more  advantageously  act 
upon  it,  than  before:  and  tlicicroic  seems  to  suppose,  tiiat  it  woiihl  be  adviseable 


238  THE    EAKLY    CODSrS    OF   AMERICA. 

to  suspend  the  coinage,  until  we  are  notified  of  the  proceedings  of  Congress 
upon  that  head. 

"  These  reasons,  without  mentioning  others  that  might  be  given,  may 
induce  you.  Gentlemen,  to  suspend  this  business  accordingly. 

"  The  report  made  to  Congress',  relative  to  the  establishment  of  a  mint  for 
the  United  States,  accompanies  the  Papers  abovementioned  — 

"Council  Chamber  James  Bowdoin" 

"June  12'"  1786 

"In  Senate  June  12"'  178G.  Read,  &  with  the  papers  accompanying,  com- 
mitted to  Richard  Cranch  and  Oliver  Phelps  Esrj^  With  such  as  the  Hon''.'^  may 
join.  Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

"  Saml  Phillips  jun!"  Preside  " 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives  June  12.  1780 

"  Read  and  concurred  &  M!'  Titcomb,  Mr  Cross  &  Ml  Jarvis  are  joined 

"  Artemas  Ward  Speaker — " 

July  6th,  1786,  the  committee  reported  as  follows :  — 

"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses  to  whom  was  committed  the  Governor's 
Message  of  the  12"'  of  June  1786,  on  the  Sulyect  of  a  Coinage,  have  attended 
that  Service,  and  ask  Leave  to  report  as  their  Opinion  —  That  it  is  ad^-iseable  to 
suspend  the  further  Consideration  of  that  Subject  luitill  the  Proceeding  of 
Congress,  relating  to  the  Establishment  of  a  Mint,  shall  be  made  known  to  the 
several  States. 

"Which  is  humbly  submitted,  Richard  Cranch,  pr  Oi'der." 

Notwithstanding  the  suggestion  of  the  Governor,  and  the  report  of  the 
committee  advising  that  this  business  l)e  suspended,  the  Representatives  soon 
appointed  another  committee  to  forward  it;  and  on  Monday,  July  3d,  they 
"Ordered  that  Mr.  Jarvis  Mr.  Davis,  &  Mr.  Sargent  be  a  Committee  to  Consider 
of  the  Expediency  of  Coining  Money  &  report." 

The  committee  reported  the  following  resolve :  — 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives,  July  71"  1786 
"  Resolved — That  his  Excellency  the  Governour  be  &  he  is  hereb}'  requested 
to  write  to  the  Delegates  of  this  Commonwealth  in  Congress :  informing  them, 

1  Thi>:  ivpoi-t   is  not   to  be  found,    Imt   iiro'iulily   was  that   consideroil  liy  Congress,   August 
8tli,  1786. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  239 

that  it  is  the  earnest  Wish  of  the  Legislature  of  this  ConinioinveaUh  that  a  mint 
for  coining  Silver  &  Copper,  to  serve  as  a  Currency  throughout  the  United 
States,  be  established  as  soon  as  may  be  — " 

This  report  was  considered  by  both  Houses,  and  accepted,  "as  taken  into 
a  new  draft  "  —  which  was  as  follows :  — 

"  Commonwealth  of  In  the  house  of  Kepresentatives 

Massachusetts.  July  7'."  178G 

"Ordered  that  his  Excellency  the  Governor  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  requested 
to  write  to  the  Delegates  of  this  Commonwealth  in  Congress,  informing  them 
that  it  is  the  earnest  wish  of  the  Legislature  of  this  Commonwealth  to  obtain  a 
qiuuitity  of  copper  and  silver  Coin  to  be  struck  otl',  for  the  use  of  this  Common- 
wealth, and  desiring  them  to  acquaint  him  with  the  situation  of  the  mint  proposed 
for  the  service  of  the  United  States — when  it  may  probably  be  ready  for  striking 
oif  Coin,  and  what  the  Exiience  of  coining  copper — or  silver  will  be  —  and  of 
any  other  circumstance  relative  thei-eto  which  his  Excellency  may  think  proper." 

The  preceding  report  seems  more  in  favor  of  hastening  the  establishment 
of  a  mint  for  the  United  States,  than  that  of  a  State  mint;  but  obtaining  no 
relief  from  Congress,  the  State  soon  passed  an  act  authorizing  a  mint  of  her 
own;  the  consideration  of  the  act  afterward  passed,  immediately  followed  the 
report  just  presented. 

The  paper  next  in  oi'der  is  endorsed,  "Act  respecthig  the  coinage  of  nioney, 
July  8,  1780,  referred  to  next  session." 

"Commonwealth       >  In  the  year  of  our  LORD  one  thousand  seven 

of  Massachusetts.  )  hundred  &  eighty  six. 

"  An  Act  authorizing  and  empoAvei'ing  the  Governor  with  ad\ice  of  Council 
to  coin  a  certain  Quantity  of  Copper  and  to  erect  a  Mint  (ur  ihni   Pinpose 

"  Whereas  the  coining  of  a  Quantity  of  Copper  and  bringing  the  same  into 
Circulation  may  be  pi-oductive  of  great  Advantages  to  the  Commonwealth  — 

"Therefore  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  assembled  and  by  the  Authority  of  the  same,  That  the 
Governor  and  Council  be  and  they  aie  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to 
erect  for  the  Use  of  the  Commonwealth  a  Mint  lor  tht-  Coinage  of  Copper 
and  therein  to  coin  a  Quantity  of  Co])pir  into  Pieces  of  ditlerent  Denomina- 
tions of  the  Value  ciK-Ii  and  in  such 
Proportions  with  such  Device  or  Devices  and  di'sc  liptivc   Marks  ;i>  ihvy  shall 


240  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

judge  proper,  the  whole  not  to  exceed  Twenty  Thousand  Pounds  and  the 
Mint  so  erected  shall  be  under  the  Management  &  Dh-ection  of  the  Governor 
&  Council  untill  otherwise  determined  by  the  General  Court "  — 

The  following  order  was  passed  by  the  Representatives,  July  8th,  1786:  — 
"  Ordered  that  Mr  Breclc,  Mr  AVard  of  Salem  &  Mr  Bowdoin  with  such 
as  the  Hon  Senate  may  join  be  a  Committee  to  devise  further  ways  and 
means  in  the  recess  of  the  General  Court  for  discharging  the  interest  and 
principal  of  the  public  debt  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  of  its  proportion  of 
the  foederal  debt  &  to  report  at  the  next  Session  of  the  Legislature  " 

The  Senate  conciu-red,  and  added  to  the  committee  Messrs.  Phillips  and 
Tufts.  The  connection  of  this  committee  with  our  subject  is  explained  by 
the  ensuing  records :  — 

"In  Senate  Oct.  4,  1786  Ordered  that  a  Committee  of  both  Houses 
ajipointed  the  8"*  of  July  last  to  devise  ftirther  ways  and  means  lor  discharg- 
ing the  interest  and  principal  of  the  public  debt  of  this  Commonwealth,  and 
of  its  proportion  of  the  federal  debt,  be  instructed  to  consider  of  a  proper 
mode  for  regulating  the  Current  Cojjper  Coin,  and  the  expediency  of  Coining- 
gold,  silver  &  Copper,  and  also  to  Consider  a  regular  system  for  supplying 
the  Treasury  with  specie  &  report.  Sent  down  for  Concurrence  Read  and 
concurred." 

Wednesday,  Oct.  11"'  1786, 

"  The  Hon.  S.  Baker  Esq";  brought  down  a  report  of  the  Committee 
appointed  S'.""  of  July  last,  to  Considei-  the  expediency  of  Coining  gold  &c., 
'That  it  will  be  highly  advantageous  to  the  Commonwealth  to  erect  a  Mint 
as  soon  as  may  be,  in  the  Town  of  Boston  for  the  Coinage  of  Gold,  Silver 
&  Copper,  and  that  a  bill  be  brought  in  for  establishing  a  Mint,  and  for 
empowering  the  Governor,  with  the  advice  of  Council  to  aj^point  some  suita- 
ble person  or  persons  to  erect  the  same,  and  when  completed,  to  mspect  the 
business  of  the  said  Mint,  the  Committee  ask  leave  to  sit  agam 

"  In  Senate  Oct.  11,  1786.  Read  &  accepted.  Sent  down  for  Concurrence 
Read  and  concurred." 

Omitting  the  dry  details  of  the  several  readings  of  the  bill  for  the 
establishment  of  the  mint,  which  occupied  much  of  the  time  between  the  11th 
and  the  17th  of  October,  we  proceed  to  the  bill,  which  was  passed  on  the 
day  last  mentioned.     The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  engrossed  bill:  — 


MASSACHUSETTS.  241 

"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

"Ill  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  six 

"An  Act  for  establishing  a  Mint  for  the  coinage  of  Gold,  Silver  and 
Copper  — 

"Whereas  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  by  their  Resolve 
of  the  eighth  day  of  August  in  the  present  year,  have  regulated  the  Alloy 
and  Value  of  Coin,  and  whereas  the  want  of  a  sufficient  circulating  medium, 
renders  it  expedient,  that  a  Mint  should  be  erected  and  a  quantity  of  Coin 
be  struck: 

"Therefore  be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
in  General  Court  assembled  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  there 
shall  be  a  Mint  erected  within  this  Commonwealth,  for  the  coining  of  Gold, 
Silver  and  Copper;  and  that  all  the  Coin  that  shall  be  struck  therein,  shall 
be  of  the  same  weight,  alloy  and  value  and  each  piece  bear  the  same  name, 
as  is  by  the  said  Resolve  of  Congi-ess  fixed  &  established. 

"And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  there  shall 
be  a  quantity  of  Copper  Coin  struck,  equal  to  the  amount  of  seventy  thousand 
Dollars,  in  i)ieces  of  the  two  different  denominations  mentioned  in  the  said 
resolve,  and  in  convenient  proportions;  one  of  which  to  have  the  N'ame — 
Cent  —  stamped  in  the  Center  thereof,  and  the  other  —  Half  Cent  —  with  such 
inscriptions  or  devices  as  the  Governor  with  the  Advice  of  Council  may  think 
proper;  and  the  said  Coin,  when  struck,  shall  be  received  in  all  payments  in 
this  Commonwealth  — 

"And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  Governor  with  tlic  advice  of 
Council  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  ai)point  some 
suital)le  pei'son  or  persons,  to  procure  all  the  necessaries  requisite  to  the  com- 
pleating  of  the  said  Mint,  fit  for  coining,  and  to  take  due  care  that  the  same 
be  compleated  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  also  to  procure  an  able  Assay  Master, 
Stock,  Workmen  and  whatever  may  be  necessaiy  lor  the  actual  coinage  of 
Gold,  silver  and  Cojjper  as  before  diircted;  and  the  Governor  with  advice 
of  Council  is  herel)y  farthei-  empowered  to  a])])oint  some  suitable  person  or 
persons  to  have  the  oversight  and  inspecti(m  of  the  said  Mint  when  com- 
pleted, and  to  see  to  the  coinage  of  the  Co])per  afoveineiitioiicd  and  of  the 
Gold  and  Silver  that  may  be  brought'  in  for  Stock  or  brought  in  for  coining  — 
And    tlie  Governor  with  the  advice  of  Council    is  hereby  further  emi)owered 


'   In   tlic  liill   as  passcil   to  lu-  ciifiioss/d,   this   wind   is  "  hoii^lit."' 


242  THE   EARLY    COESTS    OF   AMERICA. 

to  establish  proper  rules  and  regulations,  respecting  the  well  ordering  and 
managing  the  business  of  the  said  Mint,  for  the  safe  keeping  the  stock  and 
Coin  that  may  be  kept  therein  and  for  securing  the  fidelity  of  all  employed 
in  the  said  Business  — And  the  Inspector  or  Inspectors  appointed  as  aforesaid, 
shall,  before  he  or  they  enter  on  the  business  of  said  appointment,  give  bonds 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  appointment  with  sureties  to 
the  Treasurer  of  this  Commonwealth  in  such  sum  or  sums  as  the  Governor 
with  advice  of  Council  shall  direct. — 

"  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  all  the  Gold,  silver  and  Cojiper  belong- 
ing to  the  Commonwealth  that  may  from  time  to  time  be  coined  in  the  said 
Mint,  so  often  as  the  same  shall  amount  to  the  value  of  one  thousand  Dollars, 
shall  be  delivered  by  the  said  Inspectoi-  or  Inspectors  into  the  Treasury  of 
this  CommouAvealth,  he  or  they  taking  duplicate  receipts  therefor,  one  of 
which  shall  be  lodged  in  the  Secretary's  Office  — 

"And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  charge  of  erecting  and  completing 
the  said  Mint,  of  Stock,  Workmen,  Officers  and  all  other  disbursements  for 
carrying  on  the  said  business  of  coining,  shall  be  defrayed  out  of  the  said 
Coin,  by  warrant  from  the  Governor  with  advice  of  Council;  the  Accounts 
relating  to  the  said  Mint  and  the  business  thereof,  having  been  first  attested 
by  the  Inspector  or  Inspectors,  and  laid  before  the  Council  examined  & 
approved.  And  if  there  should  remain  any  sum  or  sums  of  money  arising 
from  the  said  coinage,  more  than  is  necessary  for  the  payment  of  the  afore- 
said expeuces,  the  same  shall  be  appi'opriated  to  the  purchase  of  Stock  for 
the  said  Mint  unless  the  General  Court  shall  otherwise  order. 

"And  l)e  it  further  enacted,  that  the  Inspector  or  Insjiectors  of  the  said 
Mint,  sliall  from  time  to  time  lay  before  the  Governor  and  Council  an 
account  of  their  doings,  and  state  of  the  said  Mint,  that  the  same  may  be 
laid  before  the  General  Court.  — 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives  October  16'.!'  1786. — 
"  This  Bill  having  had  three  several  Readings  passed  to  be  Enacted. 

"  Ai'temas  Ward  Speaker. — 

"In  Senate  October  17'.'.'   1786  — 

"This  Bill  having  had  two  several  readings,  passed  to  be   Enacted 

"Sam!  Phillips  jun!'  Preside 
"  By  the  Governour 

"  Approved 

"James  Bowdoin" 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


243 


The  next  proceedings  in  this  lousiness  were  the  appropriation  of  money  for 
the  necessary  expenses,  and  the  providing  of  a  supply  of  metal  for  coining;  the 
papers  relating  to  this  we  copy  from  original  drafts,  on  file  at  the  office  of  the 
Secretary  of  State  : — 

,, ,  ,  1        xx      (        111  the  House  of  Representatives  Oct  22'.'  1786 

of  Massachusetts    )  '■ 

"  Resolved, 

That  thei-e  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this  Commonwealth, 
The  sum  of  Six  hundred   pounds  for  the  use  of  the  Governour  &  Council  to 
Enable  them  to  prosecute  the  business  of  Coinage  agreeably  to  an  Act  passed 
this  present  session,  they  being  accountable  for  the  same 
"  Resolved, 

That  the  Commissary  General  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized 
and  directed,  to  deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Governour  &  Council  such  quan- 
tity of  Copper  as  he  may  have  on  hand  for  the  purpose  of  Coinage,  and  the 
said  Commissary  General  is  hereby  further  directed,  to  call  on  All  persons 
who  have  Copper  in  their  hands  belonging  to  this  Commonwealth  and  deliver 
the  same  to  the  order  of  the  Governour  &  Council  for  the  purposes  above 
mentioned  " 

This  was  approved  Nov.  11th,  "as  taken  into  a  new  draft,"  which  follows: — 

"  Commonwealth       J    ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^^.  Representatives  Octob.  22.  1780  - 
of  Massachusetts    ) 

"Resolved,  That  the  Governor  with  Advice  of  Council,  be  and  He  is 
hereby  empowered  to  draw  a  AN'arrant  on  the  Ti-easurer  of  this  Common- 
wealth, foi'  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  applied  to  the  carrying 
into  Execution,  An  Act,  for  establishing  a  Mint  for  the  Coinage  of  Gold  Silver 
&  Copper,  passed  the  ])rcsent   Session. 

"Resolved,  That  all  Persons  having  in  their  Possession  any  Copper, 
belonging  to  this  Commonwealth,  Be  and  they  arc  luTclty  directed  to  deliver, 
the  same,  to  the  Commissary  General,  who  is  herel)y  directed  to  deliver,  to 
the  order  of  such  I'erson  or  Persons  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  Governor 
with  Advice  of  Council  Inspector  or  Insjjcctors  of  the  mint,  such  Copper  as 
He  may  receive  as  aforesaid,  together  with  what  He  may  now  have  on  Hand, 
and  is  uselul  lor  Coinage,  taking  duplicate  Receipts  therefor,  one  of  which 
shall  be  lodged  with  the  Secretary  — " 

On  the  2;3d  of  October,  178(;,  we  lind  this  I'utry  uiton  the  f'ouncil  Records: 


244  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

"  His  Excellency  laid  before  the  Council  an  Act  of  the  General  Court  of 
the  seventeenth  instant  establishing  a  mint  for  the  coinage  of  Gold,  silver  & 
copper  &  asked  the  advice  of  the  Council  thereon  —  Advised  that  the  said 
Act  be  committed  to  His  Honor  the  Lieut.  Governor,  M'i  Spooner  &  Austin  to 
report  a  system  foi-  carrying  the  said  Act  into  execution — " 

On  the  9th  of  IS^ovember,  Hon.  Nathan  Dane  was  requested  to  appear 
befoi-e  the  Representatives,  and  though  no  recoi-d  of  his  speech  is  found  upon 
the  Journal  of  the  House,  the  Independent  Chronicle  of  the  week  following 
gives  an  abstract  of  it,  fi-oin  which  we  quote  the  part  relating  to  coinage  : — 

"Hon.  Nathan  Dane,  a  Delegate  to  Congress  from  Mass."  appeared  before 
the  State  Legislature,  and  made  a  statement  of  the  situation  of  public  aflfairs. 
Speaking  of  the  U.  S.  Mint,  he  said  '  that  no  great  pecuniary  advantages  could 
be  expected  fi-om  it  at  present,  but  he  conceived  the  measure  of  considerable 
importance,  as  it  tends  to  give  us  a  national  feature,  to  render  our  circulat- 
ing medium  more  pure,  and  gradually  to  increase  it ;  that  much  skill  and 
attention  is  required  in  assaying  the  materials,  mixing  in  the  alloy,  and  in 
providing  against  counterfeiting  the  coins  of  the  States  or  Union;  that  it  maybe 
doubtful  whether  the  States  will  have  full  confidence  in  the  coins  struck  by  each 
other,  and  when  they  are  struck  at  several  mints  in  the  Union,  the  lirobability 
being,  that  more  base  money  may  get  into  circulation.  For  these  considerations, 
and  to  save  expence,  it  is  to  be  wished  that  the  coinage  of  money,  at  the  federal 
mint,  may  be  made  as  extensive  as  conveniently  may  be." 

No  progress  appears  to  have  been  made  diu'ing  the  winter,  toward  forward- 
ing the  business  of  the  mint,  as  we  find  no  further  reference  to  it  until  the  i-eport 
of  the  committee  last  appointed,  which  was  not  sent  in  liefore  the  next  Spring, 
when  the  following  report  was  rendered  : — - 

"May  2'.'  1787. 

"  The  Committee  appointed  to  carry  into  effect  the  act  passed  last  fall  for 
establishing  a  Mint  for  the  Coinage  of  Gold,  Silver  &  copper  beg  leave  to 
report — That  they  have  attended  the  service  &  upon  enquiring  what  articles  it 
would  be  necessary  to  procure  for  compleating  said  Mint,  they  find  it  was  neces- 
sary to  erect  a  furnace,  &  the  clay  with  which  the  bricks  were  to  be  made  for 
erecting  of  the  same'  could  not  be  procured  nor  the  bricks  made  until  this  Spring — 
That  they  have  fully  conversed  with  Capt  Joshua  Wetherle  upon  the  subject  of 
establishing  a  mint  for  the  coinage  of  copper  &  find  he  is  a  suitable  person  to 
procui'e  the  necessaries  requisite  to  compleat  the  same  &  to  conduct  the  business 
&  is  ready,  if  he  should  be  appointed  for  this  purpose,  immediately  to  proceed 


MASSACHUSETTS.  245 

upon  the  business  as  soon  as  he  shall  have  an  order  for  such  copper  as  now 
belongs  to  this  Common Avealth  —  And  the  Committee  f'urthei'  report  tliat  Capt 
Joshua  Witherlee  be  appointed  to  the  business  accordin«>;ly  &  be  furnished  with 
an  order  on  the  Commissary  General  foi-  the  coi)])er  belonging  to  tliis  Common- 
wealth he  giving  bond  witli  suii'ties  for  the  faithfuU  discharge  of  llic  duty  of  his 
appointment  &  that  the  (-(jppt'r  he  may  be  furnished  with  shall  be  apjiropriated 
to  the  business  of  coining  coi)])er  — 

"His  Excellency  was  pleased  to  nominate  Capt  Joshna  Wetherle  as  a 
person  suitable  to  be  employed  in  the  mint  Ibi'  the  coinage  of  copper  &  asked 
the  advice  of  the  Council  —  The  Council  thereupon  Advised  that  Joshua 
Wetherle  be  appointed  to  conduct  the  said  business  of  coinage — " 

"  Thursday  May  3:'  1787 
"Advised  that  His  Excellency  lie  requested  to  order  the  coppei'  now  in  the 
hands  of  the  Honble  Hugh  Oit  esq'!  to  be  delivered  to  the  Commissai-y  General 
for  the  purpose  of  cai-rying  into  execution  a  I'csolution  of  the  General  Court 
passed  November  11"'  178(5,  &  also  to  direct  the  Commissary  General  to  deliver 
the  said  copper  to  Joshua  Wetherle  esq!',  appointed  to  carry  on  the  business  of 
coinage  together  with  what  he  may  now  have  on  hand  &  is  useful  foi'  coinage 
taking  duplicate  receipts  therefor  one  of  which  to  I)e  lodged  with  the  Secretary 
of  this  Commonwealth  —  " 

Next   follows  a  memorandum  ol' tiie  coppei'  available  for  coining:  — 

"Bridgewater  May  10'."  1787 

"  We  Weighed  off  Thirty  lour  hundred   &  thirty  lour  pound  net  weight 

of  Copper,  and  Six  hundred  &  fifty  weight  of  Sprews   (so  Called)   belonging 

to  the  Common  Wealth  of  Massachusetts,  now  iu  the  ])ossession  of  the  Hon'!' 

Hugh  Oi'r  Esq'  at  his  Store  in  Bridgewater. 

^       Com'*" 

"David   Kingman)  .   ,    .    ,•   . 

'^  ■{  ai)i)ointe(l    lor 

"Hugh  Orr  )    '\ 

^  (  that  purpose 

""There  is  Also  One  Ten  Inch  Mortar  Two  Eight  &  half  D"?,  four  Cohorn 
Morters  unfinished,  now  on  hand,  also  Two  four  pound  Brass  Cannon  that  are  to 
be  run  Over  Again  and  a  Ten  Inch  Mortar  that  failed  in  the  Casting  Supposed 
to  weigh  12  or  14  Cw^  together  with  a  Brass  rack  belonging  to  the  Maihiue  for 
boring  Cannon,  the  Above  together  witli  the  Above  mentioned,  aiv  under  my 
Care  Witness  my  hand —  Hugh  Orr  "' 

"A  true  Copy  Rich'!  Devens  Com"  Gen." 


246  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  on  Friday,  June  1st,  1787,  it  was  "^  Ordered 
that  M'-  Jones  of  Boston,  M^  Dawes  &  M'-  Bowdoin  be  a  Committee  to  examine 
what  measures  have  been  taken  respecting  the  coinage  of  copper  and  the  assay- 
ing of  minerals,  and  report."  .  ..."  A  petition  from  James  Swan  praying  to  be 
allowed  to  coin  twenty  thousand  pounds  in  copper  on  certain  conditions  therein 
mentioned.  Bead  &  ordered  that  the  said  petition  lie  till  the  committee 
appointed  to  enquire  what  measures  have  been  taken  on  the  subject  of  coinage 
report."  On  Monday,  June  Ith,  "  The  House  reconsidered  their  vote  of  the 
1'*.'  ins'  on  the  petition'  of  James  Swan  and  committed  the  same  to  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  consider  what  measures  have  been  taken  respecting  the 
coinage  of  coppei'." 

June  11th,  "  The  committee  appointed  to  examine  what  measures  had  been 
taken  with  respect  to  the  coinage  of  copper  reported  verbally  that  in  their 
02)inion,  it  would  be  best  to  continue  that  business  in  the  hands  of  the  Lieuf 
Governoui-  &  Council  and  that  James  Swan  Esq"^  have  leave  to  withdraw  his 
petition  upon  this  subject.     Report  accepted  &  ordered  accordingly." 

Another  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Representatives,  on  Saturday, 
June  23d,  1787,  when  it  was  "  Ordered  that  Mv  Davis,  M':  Clarke,  &  Dv  Kilham 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of  coining  silver  at  the  mint  now 
establishing  in  this  Commonwealth,  &  report." 

On  Wednesday,  June  27th,  the  Council  designated  the  devices,  &c.,  for  the 
copper  coin,  in  these  words  : — 

"  Advised  that  the  device  on  the  copper  coin  to  be  emitted  in  this  Common- 
wealth be  the  figure  of  an  Indian  with  a  bow  &  arrow  &  a  star  on  one  side,  with 
the  word  '  Commonwealth,'  the  reverse  a  spread  eagle  with  the  words — -'  of  Mas- 
sachusetts A.  D.  1787  '  —  " 

The  coins  show  a  slight  vai'iation  from  this  order,  in  the  legend  upon  the 
reverses,  only  the  word  Massachusetts  and  the  date  being  there  found. 

Still  another  committee  was  named  by  the  Senate,  it  being  on  the  30th  of 
June,  "Ordered  that  Tristam  Dalton,  Joseph  B.  Varnum  and  Isaac  Stearns 
be  a  Committee  to  enquire,  what  progress  has  been  made  in  the  coining  of 
Gold,  Silver  &  Copper  —  " 

AVe  next  find  a  resolve,  probably  reported  by  the  committee  of  June  23d; 
this  was  passed  by  the  Re^jresentatives,  but  rejected  by  the  Senate. 


1  This  iiftitiiiii  \v;is  iir<il)ably  tlio  same  which   hail  beou    pivx  icuisly  prusfiitod,  aiul  lias  alreaily 
Vieeii  given  on  [>.  "230. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  247 

"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 

"  In  the  House  of  Rejiresentatives  July  2''  1787. 

"  AVhereas  the  Governour  and  Council  have  taken  measui'es  for  the  establish- 
ing a  Mint  for  the  Coinage  of  Copjjer,  piu'suant  to  an  Act  of  the  General  Court 
passed  the  17  day  of  October  178(3;  and  whereas  it  is  necessai'y,  that  provision 
should  also  be  made  for  the  receiving  oi'  Silver  and  for  coining  the  same, 
therefore 

"Resolved,  that  the  Governour  and  Council  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
empowered  and  requested,  to  take  such  muasuix's  as  they  may  judge  necessary, 
for  the  receiving  into  the  said  Mint  all  such  Silver  Bidlion  as  may  be  brought  in 
by  any  person  or  persons  for  the  purpose  of  coining;  with  such  Devices,  of  such 
weight  and  under  such  regulations,  as  are  established  by  a  Resolve  of  the 
United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  passed  the  8"'  day  of  August  178G,  and  by 
an  Act  of  the  General  Court  passed  the  17"'  day  of  Octoljer  in  the  same  year. 

"  Sent  up  for  concurrence  J  AVarren  Si)k'  " 

"In  Senate  July  5"'  1787 

"Read  and  nonconcurred  S.  Adams  Presid'" 

The  coins  of  Massachusetts  are  all  of  one  type,  consisting  of  several 
varieties  of  both  cents  and  half  cents,  and  may  be  described  as  follows  :  — 

OBVERSE. 

Device, — An  Indian  standing,  facing  left,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a  bow, 
and  in  his  left,  an  arrow  ;  between  the  top  of  the  l)ow  and  his  head,  is  a  mullet. 
Legend, — commox  avealth. 

KEVEliSK. 

Device, — An  eagle,  displayed,  on  his  breast  a  shield  argi'ut,  six  pales  gules, 
a   chief  azure;   on   the   chief,   the    woi-d   cknt  ;    in  his  right  talon  is  an  olive 
branch,  and   in   his   U'lt    a   hundic  ol'  ari'ows.     Legend, — MASSACHUSETTS. 
In  exergue,— The  date— 1787  or  1788. 

Borders,— Milled.     Edge,— Plain.     Size,  10^  to  1«>. 

Weiglit,— From  140  to  KJ^  grains. 
The  half  cents  are  of  the  same  descri[)lion,  except  that  the  shield  bears  the 
words  HALF   CENT    instead  of   cent.     The   Size  of  these  is  from  15    to  15i, 
and  the  weight  of  those  ol"  1787   from  7~t  to  8;}  grains  ;   lliose  of  1788,  usually 
7(5  gi'ains. 

I'ables  of  the  varieties  will   i)e  found  on   the  two  pages   following. 


248 


THE    EARLY    COINS   OF   AMERICA. 


CENTS,  1787.     OBVERSES. 


Point  of  Arrow 
below  Tunic 

Bow. 

One  Ray  of  Mullet 

End  of  Arrow  under 

With 
Reverse 

^• 

Top  rises  to 

Lower  end 

Twice  tlie 

length  of  ar-  < 
row  liea<l. 

One   and    one 

half  lengths. 

One  length. 

1  height  of  letters, 
i  height  of  letters. 

Same  die. 
i  height  of  letters. 
i  height  of  letters. 

I  height  of  letters. 

i  height  of  letters. 
1  height  of  letters. 

Left  of  foot. 
Near  foot. 
IJecut,  heavy 
Near  foot. 
Left  of  foot. 

LeftCO, light. 

Left, medium 
Left,  light. 

Al  ehin. 
At  collar. 
At  eollar. 
At  forehead. 
Below  eollar. 

At  chill. 

Above  eollar. 
At  mouth. 

Middle  of  E. 
ITpright  of  E. 
I'pright  of  E. 
Upright  of  E. 
Left  part  of  E. 

Left  [lart  of  E. 

I'l-iright  of  E. 
Upright  of  E. 

1 

3 
4 

5 

6 

7 

B 

E 

A,C,E 

(i 

V,  1) 

I 

(; 

H 

1{6 
R5 

c 
I{ 

1{3 
116 

112 
H6 

CENTS,  1788.     OBVERSES. 


Point  of  Arrow  belo 

V  Tunic. 

Top  of  Bow  rises  to 

One  Ray  of 

JIuUet  roints 

End  of  Ajtow  under 

With  Reverse. 

r 

Top  of  letters. 

Below  collar. 

LTpright  of  E. 

1 

1) 

0 

Enll     two    leliut 
head      .      .   \ 

IS    of 

J  height  or  letters. 
Top  of  letters. 

Above  collar. 

Riirht  i)art  of  E. 

2 

B 

R3 

At  throat. 

Left  part  of  E. 

3 

A,  E 

R 

Top  of  letters. 

At  nose. 

Rioht  p;,rt  of  E. 

4 

G 

R2 

i  height  of  letters. 

Below  collar. 

Left  jiart  of  E. 

5 

H 

R6 

1  height  of  letters. 

At  collar. 

Ujiright  of  E. 

6 

N 

R 

1  height  of  letters. 

Above  collar. 

l'|iri(;ht  of  E. 

1 

31 

R 

Al)out    one    anil 

line 

Top  of  letters. 

.Vt  month. 

I'jiriyht  of  E. 

8 

C 

R» 

half  leno;ths. 

^  heiuht  of  letters. 

At  forehead. 

Left  jiart  of  E. 

9 

M 

R« 

J  height  of  letters. 

Above  collar. 

U)iright  of  E. 

10 

L 

C 

Top  of  letters. 

At  throat. 

U]iright  of  E. 

11 

i\  E,  F 

C 

One  length  .     . 

^  height  of  letters. 

Above  collar. 

Left  jpart  of  E. 

12 

11, 1,  K,  M 

c 

HALF  CENTS,  1787.     OBVERSES. 


Head  of  .\now 

Feather  End  under 

One  Ray  of  Mullet 
V»oints 

Defects. 

Grass. 

1 

5 

1 

With 
Re- 
verse 

>. 

f 

Small. 

ilidille  of  W. 

At  collar. 

None. 

None. 

D 

R4 

Below 

Large. 

Riirht  foot  W. 

At  eyebrow. 

Inside  right  leg. 

Thin. 

2 

A 

R3 

tunic    ' 

Small. 

Between  W  and  E. 

At  collar. 

None. 

Thicker  at  right. 

3 

A 

R5 

Small. 

Left  part  E. 

At  mouth. 

Over  right  foot. 

Very  thin. 

4 

B,C 

C 

Half 

f 

Large. 

Right  foot  W. 

Above  collar. 

Inside  left  leg. 

Light. 

5 

A 

R2 

below  <j 
tunic.  [ 

Large. 

Between  Wand  E. 

At  throat,    -j 

From  left  top  ) 
of  E.                (• 

High,  light. 

6 

D 

R^ 

HALF  CENTS,  1788.     OBVERSE. 


Arrow  Point 

Arrow  Head 

Feather  End  under 

One  Ray  of 
Mullet  points 

Grass. 

u 

1 

s 

With 
Reverse. 

'i 

Just  Ijelow  uinic 

Medium,  joining  tunic 

Left  part  of  E. 

At  nose. 

Very  light. 

1 

A,  B 

R 

MASSACHUSETTS. 


249 


CENTS,  1787.     KE  VERSES. 


Leaves  on 
Branch. 

Point  of  leaves  tuni 

Arrows. 

Figures  and 
Spacing. 

Upper  stroke  of 
Dash. 

1 

S 

With 
Ob- 
verse. 

Dash 

Number  barbed. 

Pointing 
below 
wing. 

Foul',     -i 

Uj>. 

10,  spread. 

5 

Medium. 

Shoi-t,  light. 

A 

2b 

c 

Stniisrht. 

6,  medium. 

0 

Wide. 

Long,  liglit. 

H 

1 

R6 

oj 

Up." 

7,  spread. 

5 

Medium. 

Long,  light. 

C 

2V4 

C 

-5  ■{ 

1st  2  down,  others  up. 

9,  spread. 

3 

Medium. 

Long,  Ilea  vv. 

D 

4 

R2 

c 

1st  down,  others  up. 

^i^i)  spread. 

8 

Close. 

Light,  close. 

E 

2" 

R6 

^ 

Five.    • 

Last  down,  othei's  up. 

5(?)  tdose. 

Xoue. 

Small,  close. 

Long,  heavy. 

F 

2^^ 

U5 

Up. 

6,  spre.id. 

2 

^fedium. 

Dash  single. 

G 

8,6 

^ 

Light. 

11 

'bJ3J 

1st  2  down,  others  uii. 

8  close. 

5 

Large,  wide. 

Medium. 

H 

7 

K6 

cc    . 

Up. 

7  close. 

2 

Large,  heavy. 

Heavy. 

I 

5 

R6 

CENTS,  1788.     REVERSES. 


Punctua- 
tion. 


Point 

after  - 
legend 


No  point 


Upper 
stroke  of 

dash 
heaviest. 


J>ower 
stroke  of 

dash 
heaviest. 


Form  of  9. 


>  narrow 

like         { 
figure  8. 


S  wide  and 
oiieii. 


Last  S  from  tip  of 
Wing. 


Entirelv  helow. 
I  below. 
\  helow. 
\  lielow. 
Well  above. 
Just  above, 
•lust  above. 
\  below. 
i 

2 


Del 


ow. 
^  below. 
\  l)elow. 
\  below. 
\  below. 


Number  of  Arrows. 


7,  close. 

8,  close. 
7,  close. 
7,  close. 

7,  close. 

8,  close. 
8,  close. 

10.  medium. 

6,  medium. 
7(r'),  medium. 
8(':'),  me<lium. 

7,  s])read. 
10(V),  close. 


Figures. 


First  8  low. 
Spread. 
1  high. 
78  i;)w. 
78  low. 
First  8  low. 
88  wide. 
Light. 
88'^low. 
1  small. 
78  wide. 
1  low. 
17  close. 


With 
Obverse 


3 

2 

8,1 1 

1 
3,  11 

11 

4 
5,  12 

12 

12 

10 

r,  9,12 

6 


R 

R3 

R 
C 
C 

R5 

Ra 
R 

R5 

R 
C 
C 
R 


HALF   CENTS,  1787.     REVERSES. 


Dash 

Outer 

Leaves 

turn 

Barbed 

Arrows. 

Pointing 
below 
Wing. 

I'pper  Stroke  of  Dash. 

Figures. 

'S, 

A 

B 

C 
D 

With 
Obverse 

J- 

Spacing. 

Pioportions. 

S 

Double   .     .      1 

Up. 
Down. 

Up. 
Up. 

Five(V). 
Si.x. 

Se\  en. 
Eight(V). 

Two. 

l-'iiiir. 

Two. 
Three. 

Very  light. 
Light. 

Wide. 
Jledium. 

Close. 
Wide. 

Medium. 
Heavy. 

Heavy. 
Light". 

2,3,5 
4 

4 
1,6 

R 

R5 

Arrows. 

.•Single      .      .       - 

Spread. 

Close,  irregular. 

C 
]{a 

HALF   CENTS.  1788.     liEVERSES. 


Dash 


Single 


Outer  leaves 


Nearly  straight. 
Turn  11)). 


Barbed 

AlTOWS. 


Four. 
Five. 


Point- 
ing 
below 
Wing. 


One. 
One. 


Dash. 


Tapers  to  ends. 
Straiglit. 


Figures. 


88  high,  medium. 
78  low,  medium. 


e 

551 

!« 

^5 

A 

1 

B 

1 

•c 

L 

R6 

R 


250  THE    EARLY   COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

NOTES    ON    THE   TABLES    OF    MASSACHUSETTS   COINS   OF    1787. 

No.  1  is  among  the  most  peculiar  of  the  coins  of  this  State.  The  Indian 
has  an  aged  face,  a  prominent  chin,  and  his  body  is  slightly  bowed  ;  the  only 
specimen  of  it  we  have  seen,  is  owned  by  Mr.  J.  Carson  Brevoort,  of  Brooklyn, 
I^.  Y.     It  is  on  a  small  planchet,  measuring  but  I62. 

No.  2'*  we  find  only  with  reverse  F  ;  the  tops  of  the  letters,  and  the  lower 
end  of  the  bow  are  very  light,  (Plate  VI,  No.  5.)  but  in  2''  they  seem  to  have 
been  reciit  more  heavily  ;  the  last  with  reverse  C,  is  W". 

No.  3  has  a  defect  like  a  period  before  C.      [Plate  VI,  No.  6.] 

No.  4  is  the  "  bowed  head ; "  it  has  a  tassel  near  the  top  of  each  boot,  and 
no  grass  near  the  feet. 

No.  5  we  have  seen  only  in  the  cabinet  of  Chas.  I.  Bushnell,  Esq :  the 
Indian  is  stout,  and  slightly  liowed. 

No.  6.     Upon  this,  as  well  as  on  Nos.  2,  3,  and  7,  the  Indian  stands  erect. 

No.  7.     Another  stout  Indian  ;  the  die  badly  broken.     [Plate  VI,  No.  7.  ] 

In  reverse  A,  the  period  is  under  the  head  of  the  right  hand  aiTOW,  and  the 
sixth  arrow  from  the  right  joins  the  tip  of  the  wing.  From  a  break  like  a  horn 
over  the  eagle's  head,  this  is  called  the  "  horned  eagle." 

B,  period  large,  and  very  near  S  ;  the  third  arrow  is  nearest  tip  of  wing. 

C,  period  joins  the  point  of  the  first  arrow,  the  fifth,  nearest  tip  of  wing. 

D,  period  nearer  point  of  second  arrow,  the  fourth,  joins  tip  of  wing. 

E,  period  near  first  arrow,  the  third,  nearest  wing  ;  many  arrows  joined. 

F,  This  deserves  particular  notice.  The  eagle  grasps  the  arrows  in  his 
right  talon  (at  observer's  left,)  and  the  olive  branch  in  his  left.  The  second  and 
thii'd  leaves  from  the  right  join  the  wing.     But  four  specimens  of  this  are  known. 

G,  period  under  point  of  first  arrow,  the  third,  joins  tip  of  wing. 
H,  period  very  lai-ge ;  all  arrows  with  small  and  distinct  heads. 
I,  period  large,  arrows  all  with  heads. 

Of  the  cents  of  1788  few  notes  will  be  required ;  we  will,  however,  mention 
some  points  necessarily  excluded  from  the  tables. 

In  Nos,  1,  6,  8,  9  and  11,  the  lower  point  of  the  bow  is  very  near  the  foot  of 
the  Indian  ;  but  in  2,  3,  4,  5,  7,  10  and  12,  it  is  about  l-32d  of  an  inch  to  the 
left  of  the  foot,  and  in  No.  9  is  slightly  double. 

The  points  of  the  two  outer  leaves  turn  upward,  except  in  I,  where  the  first 
leaf,  in  K,  the  second,  and  in  M  and  N,  both,  turn  downward. 

The  half  cents  are  so  fully  illustrated  on  Plate  VI,  only  one  die  being  there 
omitted,  that  no  notes  will  be  required,  other  than  references  to  the  numbers 


Vl.ATE  VI. 


'I     -  r- 


1  ■■  l. 


/■-..i.- 


-  \'^ 


^M-   I 


HI  I.lorVI'K.  PAIKNT. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


251 


upon  the  plate,  where  No.  12,  represents  1-D  :  No.  9,  3-A  :  No.  13, 1:-B  :  No. 
14,  4_C  :  No.  10,  5- A  :  No.  11,  (>-D,  of  1787,  and  Nos.  IG  and  15,  respectively, 
1-A  and  1-B,  of  1788.  The  last  is  often  fonnd  broken  through  the  last  8. 
As  the  plates  were  printed  before  the  tables  were  ari-anged,  the  numbers  do 
not  stand  in  their  proper  sequence. 

In  the  tables  of  reverses  of  the  cents  of  1788,  F,  should  be  enclosed  by 
the  lower  brace  in  the  dash  column,  the  lower  stroke  being  heaviest. 

The  Massachusetts  coins  are  represented  by  the  cuts  below  ;  tlie  chief 
of  the  shield  upon  all,  should  be  like  that  of  No.  37. 


Most  of  the  dies  for  this  mint  were  made  by  Joseph  Callender,'  whose  place 
of  business  was  in  1789  at  "  Ilalf-sfiuare,  State-street,"  (nearly  where  Brazier's 
Building  now  stands,)  but  as  appears  in  the  report  of  the  mint-master,  the  cost 
of  his  dies  was  so  great,  (£1.  48.  each,)  that  another  engraver  was  employed  as 
soon  as  one  could  be  iound,  who  was  to  receive  but  one  per  cent  of  the  coin 
struck  from  his  dies  ;  tliis  probably  was  Jacob  Perkins  of  Newbury^Jort,  to 
whom  the  mint  accounts  show  that  payments  were  made  at  dillerent  times. 

It  appears  to  us  certain  Ihat  a  clue  by  which  the  dies  cut  by  these  engravers 
can  be  distinguished,  exists  in  the  letter  S,  upon  the  reverse  dies.  In  all  those 
of  1787,  and  in  six  of  those  of  1788,  this  letter  is  broad  and  open  :  while  in  seven 


1  The  Directory  of  1789  says,  "Callender,  .losepli,  engraver,  IIalf-s<|iiare,  State-street." 
Half  S<iuare  Court  was,  as  nearly  as  it  can  now  lif  located,  about  where  Congress  Square  now 
is.  Drake  records  it,  "'From  King-sl.  (State  st.)  by  the  house  of  Isaac  Addington  Esi|.,  witli 
the  return  into  Pudding-lane,'  (Devonshire  st.)  1708.  In  1732,  '  from  ^laccarty's  cor.  turning 
into  ruddiug-lane.'  " 


252  THE    EARLY    COnSTS    OF   AMERICA. 

of  the  cents  and  both  of  the  half  cents  of  1788,  it  is  narrow,  and  the  points  so 
connected  with  the  curves,  as  to  resemble  a  figure  8. 

Callender's  bill  specifies  three  dies  repaired,  and  thirty-nine  new  dies  ; 
curiously  enough,  the  dies  with  the  open  S,  and  the  obverses  found  with 
them  according  to  the  tables,  number  thirty-eight. 

The  three  sums  paid  to  Jacob  Perkins  amount  to  but  £3.  18s.  lOd., 
while  Callender's  bill  was  for  £4:8.  12s.  from  which  it  would  appear  that  his 
work  must  have  much  exceeded  that  of  Perkins. 

On  Thursday,  September  13th,  1787,  the  Governor  submitted  to  the 
Council  these  instructions  to  the  Master  of  the  Mint  : — 

"  His  Excellency  laid  before  the  Council  an  act  for  establishing  a  mint 
for  the  coinage  of  gold,  silver  &  cop])er  passed  October  17'.''  1786  &  submitted 
to  their  consideration  some  proper  rules  &  I'egulations  respecting  the  well- 
ordering  &  managing  the  business  of  the  said  Mint  —  The  Council  took  the 
subject  matter  of  said  act  into  consideration  &  thereui^on  Advised  that  M!" 
Wetherle  the  master  workman  of  the  mint  purchase  the  copper  suitable  for 
coinage,  at  as  i-easonable  a  price  as  possible  until  further  order  —  That  M^ 
Wetherle  procure  the  workmen  for  the  mint  at  as  cheap  a  rate  as  possible  — 
That  the  Master  Workman  of  the  mint  be  &  hereby  is  authorized  to  judge 
of  the  quality  of  copper  suitable  for  coinage  previous  to  the  jiurchase  —  That 
the  Master  workman  of  the  mint  have  full  power  to  discharge  any  person 
under  his  care  without  making  application  to  Government  &  shall  also  have 
full  power  to  make  such  regulations  for  the  workmen  from  time  to  time  as  he 
shall  think  it  necessary  for  carrying  on  the  business  with  despatch  —  That  the 
Committee  ap])ointed  the  twenty  third  of  October  178(5  to  report  a  system  to 
carry  the  act  for  establishing  a  mint  into  execution  be  empowered  to  give  such 
further  rules  &  regulations  respecting  the  well  ordering  &  managing  the  busi- 
ness of  the  said  Mint  as  they  shall  judge  expedient  'till  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Comicil—  ***** 

"His  Excellency  suggested  to  the  Council  the  expediency  of  appointing 
some  suitable  ]>ersons  to  have  the  oversight  &  inspection  of  the  Mint  &  to  see  to 
the  coinage  of  the  copper  &  whether  it  was  necessary  that  two  inspectors  of  said 
mint  should  be  appointed  passed  in  the  negative  —  The  opinion  of  the  Council 
was  then  asked  whether  from  the  declaration  of  the  Master  Workmen  of  the 
mint  this  day  it  was  necessary  to  come  to  the  choice  of  one  inspector  for  the 
mint  passed  in  the  aflirmative  — 

"TheCoimcil  took  under  consideration  the  sum  that  was  necessary  to  be 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


253 


given  to  the  said  inspector  for  his  services  &  thereupon  Advised  that  one 
hundred  &  twenty  pounds  be  paid  to  the  said  inspector  lor  his  services  yearly, 
&  that  he  give  bonds  previous  to  his  entering  on  the  business  of  his  appointment 
for  the  faithful  dischai-ge  oi"  his  trust  with  sureties  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Com- 
monwealth in  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  — 

"His  Excellency  was  i)leased  to  nominate  Ebenezer  Hancock  esqf.  to  be 
inspector  of  the  mint  established  for  the  coinage  of  coppei"  which  nomination  the 
Council  did  advise  &  consent  —  " 

"  Friday  September  li"'  17S7 

"M'.  Hancock  inspector  of  the  mint  mentioned  to  the  Council  lor  their 
consideration  Benjamin  Hich])oi-ne  esq'  &  Edward  Blancliard  I)()th  of  Boston  as 
his  sureties  for  the  faitliful  discharge  of  liis  ti'ust  —  who  were  ajjpi'ovcd  of  l)y  the 
Council  — -'^ 

The  (_TOvernor,  in  liis  speecii  of  Oct.  18th,  17S7,  remarked  upon  the  mint:  — 
"In  consequence  of  an  act  made  October  178(j,  a  mint  has  been  erected  for 
coining  cents,  and  a  very  considerable  quantity  of  copper  will  soon  be  ready 
lor  circulation.  I  wish  your  attention  to  the  subject,  and  that  a  law  maybe 
made  to  prevent  the  daily  frauds  and  impositions  arising  from  the  cii-culation  of 
foreign  cop])er  coin  in  this  ( 'onnnonwealth." 

A  connnittee  was  tliert'loi-e  ap])  >iiite<l  to  consider  the  li-oubies  complained  of. 

"  Conimonwealth  of    t  ,       ,  ^^         .^>,    ---.rr 

,,  ,        ,,         }  In  Senate  Oct'.  22"  1(87  — 

Massachusetts        3 

"  Ordered  that  Cotton  Tufts  Esq';  with  such  as  the  Honi'"^  House  may  join, 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  what  is  necessary  to  be  done  respecting  the  Copper 
coined  in  the  Mint,  and  for  preventing  irauds  &  impositions  from  the  circulation 
of  foreign  Copper  Coin,  and  the  futuie  inqjortation  of  it  — 

sent  down  for  concurrence,  S  Adams  Presid' " 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives  October  22'.'  1787 

"Kead  and  concurred  and  M'.'  Bowdoin  and  M"!  Parsons  are  joined 

J  Warren  Sp'kr  " 

The  name  of  Mr.  Parsons  was  afterwards  erasid,  and  that  of  Mr.  Lithgow 
substituted. 

The  above  named  connnittee;  i-eturned  this  report:  — 

"The  Committee  of  both  Houses  a])p(jinted  to  consider  what  is  necessary  to 
be  done  respecting  the  Mint,  Ibr  preveiiting  Frauds  &  Impositions  arising  from 


254  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

the  Circulation  of  foreign  Coin  &  the  future  Impoitation  of  it,  ask  leave  to 
report  a  Bill  in  Addition  to  an  Act  against  counterfeiting  or  uttering  counter- 
feit Coin  —  and  the  following  Resolve  — 

Cotton  Tufts  p^    ord!:" 


'O 


"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  — 

"  Resolved,  That  such  of  the  Copper  coined  in  the  Mint  of  this  Common- 
wealth, as  shall  be  lodged  in  the  Treasury  (whenever  the  Payment  of  the 
Expences  provided  for  in  the  Act  for  establishing  the  said  Mint  shall  be  com- 
pleated)  Two  Fifths  thereof  be  and  it  is  hereby  appropriated  to  the  sole  Purpose 
of  pacing  the  Members  of  the  Gen'  Court  from  Time  to  Time  in  such  Proportion 
among  them  as  the  Sum  in  the  Treasury  shall  admit  ofl',  and  the  remaining 
Three  Fifths  to  the  purchasing  of  necessary  Stock  for  carrying  on  the  Business 
of  the  said  Mint,  and  defraying  the  Charges  thei-eof — 

"  And  It  is  further  Resolved  That  The  Governor  and  Council  be  and  they 
are  hereby  requested  to  to  lay  before  the  Geni  Court  at  their  next  Sitting  an 
Account  of  the  Cost  &  Charges  of  erecting  the  said  Mint  and  the  whole  Amount 
of  Expenditures  whether  for  Stock  or  any  other  Purpose  — 

"In  Senate  November  22^.  1787,  Read  and  accepted  and  Resolved 
accordingly  — 

sent  down  for  Concurrence  S  Adams  Presid'  " 

This  paper  is  on  file  in  the  House  archives  endorsed :  — 

"  Report  &  Resolve  I'especting  the  Mint,  Nov^  22,  1787  read  and  oi'dered  to 
lie." 

In  the  House,  it  was  on  the  25th  of  October,  1787,  "Ordered  that  D' 
Taylor  General  Brooks  M-  Dawes  D-  Manning  and  M-  Fi-eeman  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  make  enquiry  whether  silvei"  can  be  obtained  at  such  rate  and  in  such  quan- 
tity as  will  be  tor  the  interest  of  Government  to  to  coin  the  same.  —  and  report." 

"  The  Committee  Appointed  to  Make  enquiry  whether  Silver  can  be  Obtained 
at  Such  Price  and  in  Such  Quantity  as  it  will  be  for  the  Interest  of  Government 

to  Coin  the  Same have  attended  that  Sei'viee  and  ask  leave  to  Report  as  their 

Opinion  that  Such  Quantity  of  Silver  may  be  purchased  and  at  Such  price  that 
in  case  Goverinnent  can  now  advance  one  Thousend  pounds  for  the  purchass  of 
Silver  and  do  Appoint  a  proper  Pei'son  to  purchass  and  assay  the  Same  and  Order 
it  Coined  as  Soon  as  may  be  that  there  will  a  very  Considerable  Revenue  arise 
therefrom  to   Government  ;   beside  the   almost   Infinite   advantage   of  greatly 


MASSACHUSETTS.  255 

Increasing-  the    Circulating    medium   the    want    of  wliieli   lias    greatly  Injured 

thouisends. 

"  if  the  profits  arising  from  the  abovementioned  thousand  pounds  is  Sacredly 

appropriated  for  the  Sole  purpose  of  purchaseing  Silver  and  So  on  from  time  to 

time  we  hope  a  full  medium   may  be  Soon  Obtain'd  and  no   oni'  Injured  :    but 

every  Individual  and  the  publick  at  large  greatly  Releived  from  there  present 

Embarresd  Situation. 

your  Committee   ai-e  further  of  Opinion   that  every  person   lodging  Silver  of  a 

good   Quallity    with    the   Assay  Master   Shall    receive  nine  tenths  the  weight 

thereof  in  money  as  Soon  as  Coined  j^j^^^  .j^,^^,!^^^.  ^,  ^,.^^^.  „ 

Thursday,  November  8th,  "The  Commitee  appointed  to  make  enquiry 
whether  Silver  can  be  obtained  at  such  Price  and  in  such  Quantity  as  it  will  be 
for  the  interest  of  the  Government  to  coin  the  same  made  I'eport 

"  Read  and  Recommitted  and  the  Committee  are  directed  to  bring  in  a  Bill 
or  resolve  if  they  judge  it  necessary." 

They  consequently,  on  N"ov.  14th,  reported  the  following  resolve:  — 

"  The  committe  appointed  to  make  enquiery  whether  silver  can  be  obtained 
at  such  price  and  in  such  Quantity  as  it  will  be  foi-  the  interest  of  Govern- 
ment to    coin    the  same have  attended   that   service    and  report    as    their 

Opinit)n,  That  it  will  not  be  expedient  for  Government  at  present  to  under- 
take the  purchasing  silver  for  coining  :  but  as  your  committe  are  of  Opinion 
That  it  will  be  of  public  utillity  That  provision  be  made  for  the  coining  of 
silver  The  property  of  private  person  therefore  Report  the  following  Resolve 

"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  in  the  House  of  Representatives  ]S'ov,r 
14'"  1787 

"Resolved  That  His  Exel'  the  Governor  with  The  advice  of  council  be 
&  Hereby  are  requested  as  soon  as  may  be  to  procmre  all  the  requisites  for 
the  mint  necessary  for  coining  small  silver  of  such  Value  as  they  shall  tliink 
most  for  the  advantage  of  such  individuals  as  shall  bring  lluii-  silver  to  be 
coinecl  —  and  all  persons  who  shall  chuse  to  have  their  silver  coined,  shall 
receive  nine  Tenths  of  the  weight  ol"  all  the  pure  silver  they  shall  otter  to  be 
assayed  for  coining  when  The  same  shall  be  coined  — 

"  and  it  is  further  resolved  that  the  Governor  and  council  in  making  pro- 
vision lor  the  coining  silver  agreeably  to  these  resolves  govern  themselves 
by  a  law  of  this  commonwealth  Made  and  passed  on  the  seventeenth  day  of 
October  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  Thousand  seven  Hundred  &  eighty  six  — 


256  THE    EARLY    COIXS    OF    AJMERICA. 

"  and  it  is  fiu'ther  resolved  that  the  tenth  part  of  all  the  silver  offered 
to  be  assayed  in  order  for  coinage,  shall  when  coined  be  applied  (as  far  as 
shall  be  foimd  necessary)  to  pay  for  assaying  :  preparing  the  mint  for  coin- 
ing of  silver:  and  all  other  necessary  Expence  of  coinage 

Sent  np  for  Concurrence 

J  Warren  Spk"" " 

This  resolve  was  not  passed  by  the  Senate,  but  is  endorsed,  "]N^ov  1787 
Refer'd  " 

The  Council,  finding  that  the  mint  did  not  furnish  a  supply  of  coin  as 
speedily  as  was  expected,  soon  instituted  an  inquiry  into  the  state  of  its 
affaii's,  and  ordered  the  mint-master  to  report  thereupon.  Their  orders,  and 
the  report  elicited  by  them  are  next  presented. 

Wednesday,  January  16!'.'  1788.  "  Ordered  that  M^  Wetherle  he  directed 
to  exhibit  his  account  to  this  time  in  order  for  a  settlement  &  that  the  Secre- 
tary state  an  Account  of  all  the  charge  attending  the  coinage  of  the  copper  — 

"  Ordered  that  M'!  Hutchinson,  Colonel  Dawes  &  M^  Sullivan  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  direct  M';  Wetherle's  attendance  to  know  of  him  what  the  situation 
of  the  cojiper  mint  is  at  present  the  number  of  AVorkmen  imployed  in  the 
service  of  said  Mint  &e  &  that  his  attendance  be  directed  at  12  o'clock  to- 
morrow noon  " 

January  17th,  "M'i  Wctherle  attended  agreeably  to  the  direction  of 
yesterday  &  was  admitted  before  the  Council  &  after  questioning  him  upon 
several  matters  respecting  the  Coinage  of  copper  he  was  directed  to  make  a 
representation  of  his  proceedings  on  Monday  next,  &  to  point  out  particu- 
larly the  obstacles  he  has  met  with  relative  to  said  Coinage  — " 

In  compliance  with  this  order  of  the  Council,  Mr.  Witherle  submitted  a 
written  report,  which  we  copy  from  the  Archives,  Vol.  140,  p.  319 :  — 

"May  it  please  your  Excellency,  and  the  Hon""'  Councill. — 

"In  May  1787,  I  Receivd  Orders  from  Government  to  Erect  necessary 
Buildings,  and  prepare  Machines  suitable  for  the  Purpose  of  Coining  Copper 
Cents  «&c,  agreeable  to  an  Act  of  this  Commonwealth,  which  was  immediately 
begun  to  be  put  into  Execution,  and  no  Pains  was  spared  to  procure  every 
Article  that  might  be  thought  necessary  —  The  Iron  Furnaces  which  I  was 
oblig'd  to  depend  on  for  several  Articles  which  I  could  not  do  without,  were 
so  nearly  out  of  Blast,  that  I  could  not  get  the  Patterns  made  for  the 
Rollers,  and  sundry  other  Articles  that  were  necessary,  done  so  as  to  answer 


MASSACHUSETTS.  257 

the  Pur})(jse  intiMided  in  the  Spi'ing,  therefore  was  ol)liged  to  g'O  on  as  well 
as  I  could,  and  alter  spending  some  Time,  and  great  Pains  in  making  the 
Rollers,  whieh  I  had  Cast,  answer  the  Purpose  ex])ected,  was  obliged  to  have 
a  pair  of  Rollers,  made  of  wi-ought  Iron,  which  liave  been  made  Use  of  to 
this  Time,  and  are  yet  good.  — 

"  The  Dies,  with  which  tlie  Coin  is  struck,  have  been  the  means  of  great 
Delay  in  the  Business,  as  it  was  not  in  my  Power  to  procure  Steel  of  a 
proper  Quality  to  receive  the  pi'oper  Degree  of  Hardness  which  is  so  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  sustain  the  great  Force  of  the  Machine  in  making  the 
Imjjression  on  the  Coin.  —  1  have  now  procurd  Steel  of  that  Quality,  which 
ajjpears  to  answei-  the  Purpose  very  well.  —  In  addition  to  this,  it  must  be 
supposed  that  some  Time  would  be  sjient  to  Instruct  Persons  in  a  Business 
which  has  not  been  practised  in  this  Country.  — 

"  The  Moulds  which  I  proposed  to  Cast  the  Coppei'  into  Avhen  melted,  so 
as  to  have  it  in  a  proper  Situation  for  the  Rolling  Mill,  without  any  further 
Expence  or  Trouble,  was  a  Matter  of  great  Consequence  in  the  Business  ; 
therefore  I  took  the  Advice  of  all  those  Persons  that  might  l)e  supposed  to 
have  good  Judgment  in  a  Matter  of  this  kind  ;  who  unanimously  agreed  that 
it  was  not  only  a  cheap  but  very  expeditious  Way  of  doing  the  Business  ; 
therefore  I  pursued  the  Plan,  as  soon  as  the  first  Furnace  that  I  could  hear 
of  was  in  Blast,  to  get  such  a  number  of  them  as  would  be  sufficient  to 
prove  the  Experiment  which  took  some  Time  and  Ti'ouble  to  have  them  in 
proper  Order  for  the  Business  proposed  ;  when  this  was  done,  it  ajjpeared 
that  llu'  al)ove  Plan  would  not  he  a  means  of  saving  Money  and  Expediting 
Business  as  was  Expected,  but  would  really  injure  the  Mettal,  employ  more 
Hands,  and  destroy  more  Fuell,  than  Casting  it  in  much  larger  Pieces,  and 
Drawing  it  with  a  Trip  Hammer,  which  might  Ijc  made,  and  fixed  to  the  Mill 
at  Dedliam,  which  is  now  almost  ready  to  Opperate  ;  but  before  I  began  to 
fix  the  above  Hammers,  I  fidly  prov'd  liic  Experiment  by  liaving  about  a 
Thousand  Weight  drawn  at  Newton  — 

"Thus  far  1  have  given  a  general  Accouul  dC  the  Matter  to  this  Time, 
and  have  Surmounted  every  Difficulty  thai  (-((uunoidy  Occurs  in  any  new 
Business,  more  esi)ecially  in  one  of  this  Nature,  without  any  Expence  to,  or 
Assistance  from  Govei-nment,  than  Thirty  five  Hundred  Pounds  of  rough 
Copper,  receiv'd  fiom  Hugh  Orr  Esq":  ;  and  at  your  next  Meeting  sliall  lay 
before  you  a  moie  particular  Account  of  the  State  of  the  Mint. — 

"  Boston  Jan'?' 22'.'  1788.—  .h.sliua   Witherle" 


258  THE    EARLT    COESTS   OF   AMERICA. 

Friday  June  13th  1788,  "His  Excellency  communicated  to  the  Council 
a  resolution  of  the  General  Court  requesting  the  Governor  &  Coimcil  to  lay 
befoi'e  the  two  branches  of  the  Legislature  an  account  of  the  cost  of  erecting 
&  compleating  the  mint,  of  the  expences  of  carrying  on  the  business  of  said 
Mint,  of  the  quantity  of  coin  already  struck  &  what  may  be  expected  to  be 
struck  in  the  course  of  the  present  year  &  in  general  the  state  of  the  said 
Mint  &  asked  the  advice  of  the  Council  Advised  that  M^  Wetherle,  master 
workman  of  the  Mint  be  directed  to  attend  the  Governor  &  Council  on 
Tuesday  next  &  lay  a  true  statement  of  the  mint  before  them  agreeably  to 
said  resolution  —  he  was  directed  accordingly  —  " 

Wednesday  June  18th  1788  "M":  Wetherle  attended  the  Council  & 
laid  befoi'c  them  a  statement  of  the  mint  &  made  answer  to  the  several 
particxilars  mentioned  in  the  resolve  of  thirteenth  instant,  but  as  he  could  not 
accurately  give  the  whole  cost  of  erecthig  &  compleating  the  mint  for  the 
reasons  mentioned  by  him  in  his  statement — The  Council  thereupon  Ordered 
that  M'  Witherle  make  a  true  statement  agreeably  to  the  said  resolution  of 
the  thirteenth  instant  &  that  he  cause  a  settlement  of  all  the  accounts  by 
the  first  of  July  next  &  that  at  the  end  of  every  month  after  he  lodge  in 
the  Seeretarys  office  a  true  statement  of  the  mint  — " 

Mr.  Witherle's  statement  was  as  follows  :  — 

"May  it  Please  your  Exelency  &  the  Hon'"  Council 

"  Having  laid  before  you  the  accounts  of  expences  for  ei-ecting  the  mint 
&c.  to  the  3"'  of  November.  1787  the  Amount  being  £'411  1  SI.  likewise 
the  state  of  said  mint  to  the  22".''  of  Janiuiry  1788  ;  —  In  which  statement 
you  was  informed  that  the  works  at  Dedham  Avere  iN'early  compleated  :  But 
the  severity  of  the  season  being  such  that  it  was  found  Impracticable  to  pro- 
ceed any  further  untill  spring,  by  reason  of  the  ice  &c.  —  therefore  I  was 
under  the  necessety  of  haveing  the  copper  Drawn  at  Newton,  oi-  to  stop  the 
works  ;  in  which  case  I  lumibly  conceive  that  I  should  not  have  been  able  to 
had  the  works  in  so  Good  a  situation  as  they  are  at  present,  nor  the  work- 
men capeable  of  Rendering  one  half  the  service  to  Government  as  they  are 
Now. 

"  The  Dies  which  was  mentioned  in  the  former  Statement,  which  was  the 
Occaison  of  great  Delay  are  now  brought  to  that  state  of  perfection  not 
onley  as  it  Respects  their  Quality  &  stability,  but  also  the  Expence  which  I 
esteemed  to  be  Great  at  that  time.  Yett  it  was  unavoidable,  untill  some 
other  person  could  be  found,  to  cure  this  difiiculty — therefore   a  person  was 


MASSACHUSETTS.  259 

souglit  for  and  is  now  procured  to  provide  and  sui)i>ly  flie  mint  witla  Dies 
foi-  cojiper  coin,  at  the  reasonable  rate  of  one  p^  Cent  without  any  otlier 
expence  to  Government  ;  The  saveing  made  in  this  pailicuiar  will  liilly  appear 
by  M^  Callenders  Account  laid  before  you  Respecting  this  article  :  — 

"The  cost  of  erecting  &  compleating  the  mint,  witli  the  expences  that 
have  attended  the  same,  cannot  be  accurately  given  at  this  particular  time  as 
there  are  several  accounts  handed  in  that  apj^ear  to  be  erroneous  and  must 
be  corrected,  and  Others,  which  it  is  not  in  my  Power  to  colect  and  adjust 
so  as  to  Give  them  in  now  but  such  account  as  could  be  collected  &  adjusted 
are  laid  before  yon  — 

"The  quantity  of  coin,  already  struck  will  appear  by  llie  Treasurers 
Receipts  lodged  in  the  Secretary's  Office  by  the  Inspector:  the  amount  being 
2500  Dollai-s 

"  With  respect  to  the  quantity  of  Coin  that  may  be  expected  to  be  struck 
in  the  course  of  the  present  year  (if  copper  coin  onley  is  ment)  will  depend 
on  the  Quantity  of  stock  that  Government  can  supply  the  mint  with,  if  a 
sufficient  Quantity  can  be  supplied  about  fifty  dollars  p'^  Day  may  be  coined, 
with  those  Machines  that  are  now  compleated  ;  But  il'  it  is  the  rntcntion  of 
Government  to  have  Gold  &  silver  coin  struck,  —  agreeal)le  to  tlu'ir  act  for 
that  purpose,  which  the  mint  was  erected  &  calculated  lor  as  well  as  for 
copper  coin,  it  be  performed  with  a  small  addition  of  e.\j)ence  to  that  which 
is  necessary  for  coining  Copper  only  ;  as  the  Machines  now  Erected  are 
capable  of  executing  any  ccjin  under  the  size  of  a  Dollar. — 

"The  expence  of  carrying  on  the  business  of  the  mint  as  nvav  as  t-an  be 
calculated  may  amount  to  al)out  £1100. — p-  Annum.  Including  all  Charges; 
and  about  15000  Dollars  may  be  struck  in  coppei-  coin  in  that  time  pro\  idcd 
there  can  be  about  six  tons  of  Co])per  sup[)lied,  which  may  cost  about  £'()()t)  — 
which  it  is  supposed  will  enable  the  mint  to  go  on  with  business  and  dis- 
charge the  expences  that  have  or  may  occur.  —  the  (piaiilily  of  coper  now 
on   hand   is  about    2500   pound   weigiit  — 

"A  General  &  Particular  Statement  of  the  Mint  with  a  piopii-  Distinction 
between  the  cost  of  erecting  &  the  expence  of  carrying  on  llic  business  will  he 
laid  befoi'e  you  as  soon  as  all  the  accounts  Can  be  collected   iV:   adjusted  — 

"Boston  17.  June  1788  Josh'     Wilherle" 

Thursday,  June  19th,  1788.  "The  Secretary  brought  down  the  lollowlng 
Message   (VoMi    Ills    lOxeellency  the   Governoui'  vi/. 


260  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Honse  of  Representatives. 

"Agreeably  to  the  request  of  the  two  Houses  of  the  12"'  instant  a  par- 
ticular inquiry  has  been  made  into  the  state  of  the  mint,  the  result  of  which 
is,  that  from  the  many  unsettled  accounts  M'  Wetherle,  the  Master  Workman, 
is  unable  to  ascei'tain  with  any  considerable  degree  of  exactness  the  expense 
of  erecting  the  buildings  &^  The  accounts  which  he  has  closed  amount  to 
about  six  hundred  pounds.  That  from  the  various  delays  which  have  attended 
the  business  there  has  been  coined  the  value  of  twenty  five  hundred  dollars 
only,  which  has  been  delivered  to  the  Treasurer,  but  that  the  works  are  now 
in  such  a  state,  that  with  a  full  supply  of  stock,  which  will  cost  about  six 
hundred  pounds  the  business  may  be  cai-ried  on  with  such  dispatch  as  that 
the  value  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars  ma}^  be  struck  off"  in  one  year.  That 
the  expense  of  doing  this  exclusive  of  the  copper  will  ainount  to  eleven  or 
twelve  hundred  pounds. 

"That  we  have  on  hand  aljout  twenty  five  hundred  pound  of  copper  after 
the  coining  of  which,  the  business  must  cease  or  be  prosecuted  with  loss  to 
the  Commonwealth  unless  the  sum  of  six  hundred  pounds  beforementioned 
shall  be  advanced,  for  with  a  less  stock  than  can  be  procured  with  that  sum 
it  cannot  be  pursued  with  any  advantage  to  the  State.  The  master-work- 
man is  called  upon  to  settle  immediately  all  his  accounts,  and  to  lay  them 
before  the  Governour  and  Council  on  the  first  day  of  July  next,  with  a 
particular  account  of  all  the  exjDenses  of  buildings,  &'•  and  make  a  full  repre- 
sentation of  the  state  of  the  mint,  which  will  be  communicated  to  you. 

"  Signed, 

"  Council  Chamber  "  John  Hancock 

"  Boston 
"June  19'."  1788" 

Friday,  July  18th,  1788,  the  Council  "  Advised  that  M':  Wetherle  have  a 
further  time  allowed  him  to  make  a  true  statement  of  the  whole  cost  of 
erecting  &  compleating  the  mint,  &  that  he  cause  a  settlement  of  all  the 
accounts  by  the  fifth  of  August  next  —  that  he  then  lodge  the  same  in  the 
Secretary's  oflice  —  " 

Tuesday,  August  5th,  1788.  "  Ordered  that  the  attendance  of  Mv  "Wetherle 

be    directed    this    afternoon    with   his    accounts    of  the    expence    of  the    Mint 

agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  Governor  &  Council  of  the  eighteenth  of  July 
lasj; ***** 


MASSACHUSETTS.  261 

"  M'-  Wt'therle  attended  this  afternoon  agreeably  to  order  &  exhibited 
sundry  accounts  amounting  to  Five  hundred  eighty  nine  pounds  eighteen 
shillings  &  three  2>ence  h  respecting  the  cost  of  ei'ecting  &  compleating  the 
mint  for  coinage  of  copper  &  made  answer  to  the  several  questions  asked 
him  &  infornicd  the  Council  that  he  was  unable  to  render  ail  account  of  the 
whole  amount  of  the  cost  for  want  of  two  or  three  accounts  which  lie  would 
lay  before  them  as  soon  as  he  can  obtain  them  —  The  Council  directed 
him  to  make  a  complete  statement  of  the  whole  amount  of  cost  &  of  the 
sum  coined  &  to  rentier  the  same  at  the  time  the  Secretary  shall  inform 
him  —  " 

Tuesday,  September  9th,  1788.  "In  pursuance  of  the  order  of  the  Council 
of  the  fifth  of  August  last  M'-  "Wetherle  Master  Workman  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Mint  exhibited  the  remainder  of  his  accounts  of  the  cost  of  erecting  & 
compleating  the  Mint,  of  the  expences  of  carrying  on  the  business  of  the  said 
Mint  of  the  (piautity  of  Coin  already  struck  &  what  may  be  expected  to  be 
struck  in  the  course  of  the  present  year  &  in  general  the  state  of  the  said 
Mint  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Legislatui'e  of  the 
thii'teenth  of  June  last  which  being  laid  before  the  Governor  &  Council  was 
read  &  committed  to  His  Honor  the  Lieut.  Governor  &  the  Honble  M!  Phillijjs 
to  arrange  in  order  to  their  being  laid  before  the  General  Court  at  their 
next  Session." 

On  Friday,  September  12th,  1788,  a  warrant  was  drawn  on  the  Tivasury 
for  "Thi'ee  hundred  &  ninety  Pounds  in  favor  ol'  Capt  Joshua  Wetherle, 
Master  Workman  of  the  Mint  to  be  paid  in  Cents — he  to  be  accountable 
for  the  same  —  " 

A  statement  of  the  expenses  of  the  mint  was  rendered  Nov.  4th,  and  : — 
"The  Council  iuiving  taken  the  above  statement  into  consideration,  thereupon 
Advised  that  His  Excellency  lay  said  statement  before  the  General  Court 
with  the  j)apers  supporting  the  same  in  ovdvr  that  they  may  take  such 
measures  as  they  judge  shall  be  expedient" 

Wednesday,  November  5th,  1788,  "The  Secretary  brought  down  the  fol- 
lowing Message  from   His  Excellency  the  CJovernour  viz. 

"Gentlemen    ol    tlie  Senate  and  Gentlemen  ol'  tlu'  House  of  Repic-riitaiives. 
"Enipiiry     lia>    been    iiiaile    into    the    State    of  the   Mint  ;     from   which   it 
a|)pcai's   iji.-ii 


£•  677 

11  21 

1026 

15  4^ 

431 

19  0 

2136 

5  7 

939 

262  THE    EAKLT   OODfS    OF    AMERICA. 

"Tlie  expenses  of  the  Vniildiiigs  amount   to  ...  . 

Expences  of  eonduetiiitr  the  business       ..... 
Amount   of  Stoek   expended  ...... 

"  Amount  of  Coin  sti'uek  oil'  ...... 

wliieh   leaxes  a  lialanee  against   tlie   dimmonwealth       .  .  .  1197     5  7 

as    ■will    appear   by  the    papers    which   I    have    directed    the    Secretary  to    lay 
before   you    in    order   that    yoii    may  take  .such    measures    as   you   may  judge 

expedient. 

„.,         .,  r^\       1  "(Signed)         John  Hancock 

"  Council  Chamber  ^    °        ^ 

«:N"ovV   5.  1788 

"  Kead  again  and  committed  to  M'^  Mason,  M'^  Choate  &  M'^  Spooner, 
with  the  papers  accompanying " 

Friday,  November  21st,  1788.  "  The  Committee  on  the  Governour's  mes- 
sage respecting  the  Mint  made  report.  Recommitted  in  order  for  a  Resolve 
to  be  brought  in  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  receive  proposals  from  indi- 
viduals for  Coining,  in  the  i-ecess  of  the  Genei'al  Court,  &  to  report  at  their 
next  setting" 

AVe  next  present  the  Report  mentioned  above. 

"  The  Comm"**  Appointed  upon  the  Governors  Message,  ujion  the  state 
of  the  Mint,  Have  attend'-'  that  service  &  ask  leave  to  Report  as  follows — viz. 

"It    ai>i)eni-s    l)v    tlie    Statements    in    his   Exeellenev^   ^lessage   tliat    a|        ,.  nr,-     -   - 
Ballanee  is  due  from  the  Commonwealth  of  .  .  .  .  ) 

"From  -wieh  ItaUance    deduet  tlie  Cost  for   the    Buildino-s  &  tools  for  )  .-. —  ,.    „, 

carry*?    on   the  ijusmess  amounts    to     .....  ! 


£  519  14  51 

"  The  above  ballanee  of  £519  14  5|  appears  to  have  been   lost  in  cam^ 
on  the  business  as  will  appear  by  the  following  statement  — 

"To  Expcnce  of  coining      ....... 

"To  cost  of  stock     ........ 

"Deduct  for  amount  of  Coin  struck  off         . 


"  your    comm"*^^  ai'e  of   Opinion    that    if  the    Mint    had    been    suppli'"    with    a 
sufficient  stock  for  the   can*  on  the  business  its  probable  the  loss  woo''  have 


£  102G  15  4 
431  19  — 

£  1458 
939 

14  4 

£519 

14  41 

MASSACHUSETTS.  263 

been  much  less  and  perhaps  no  loss  might  have  ensue**  —  and  considering  the 
state  of  our  Finances  the  comm'""''  submit  to  the  Hon'''*'  House  wetiier  it  woo'* 
not  be  more  for  the  Interests  of  the  common  wealth  to  contract  with  some 
Person  or  Persons  for  the  purpose  of  compleaf^  the  sum  to  be  coin''  mention'' 
in  the  s''  act,  than  to  continue  it  on  the  present  establishment" 

November  21st,  1788.  "  The  Committee  on  the  Governours  message, 
respecting  the  Mint  reported  a  Resolve  for  appointing  a  Committee  to  be 
joined  by  such  as  the  Hon  Senate  might  a^jpoiut  to  receive  proj)osals  for 
coining  copper,  agreeably  to  order.  Read  &  the  blank  being  filled  with  the 
names  of  Jonathan  Mason  and  Samuel  Breck  Esquires  the  same  was  accepted 
and  sent  up  for  concurrence." 

"Saturday  November  22'.'  1788" 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives  —  "Whereas  it  is  expedient,  that  some 
new  measure  should  be  adopted  for  rendei-ing  the  coinage  of  copper  in  the 
mint  more  advantageous  to  the  Counnonwcalth  :  —  Resolved  that  Jonathan 
Mason  &  Samuel  Breck  esq'^f  with  such  as  the  honorable  Senate  may  join  be 
a  Committee  to  receive  proposals  from  any  person  or  persons  who  may  offer 
to  contract  to  carry  on  the  coinage  of  copper  within  this  Commonwealth, 
and  to  report  such  propositions,  with  their  opinion  respecting  the  same,  and 
what  may  be  necessary  further  to  be  done,  the  whole  to  be  laid  before  the 
General  Court  at  their  next  sitting.  —  And  it  is  further  Resolved  that  the 
Governor  and  Council  be  and  hereby  are  requested  to  cause  all  the  copper 
now  on  hand  to  be  coined  as  soon  as  may  be  and  when  compleated  to  dis- 
charge all  the  persons  now  employed  in  that  business  until!  the  further  order 
of  this  Coui-t. 

"  In  Senate  read  and  concurred  Approved  by  the   Governor  " 

"Witherle,  having  been  notified  of  this  action  of  the  Coui't,  writt-s  to 
John  Avery,  secretary  of  the  Council  :  — 

"  Sir  "  Boston  29"'  DecV    1788  — 

^  "Agreeable  to  your  Request  to  me  of  the  27"'  Instant  I  would  now 
Inform  you,  that  the  Quantity  of  Copper  in  the  mint  not  Coined,  is  about 
900"'  —  about  .'{.")()"'  of  whicli  is  in  liand  to  be  Coined,  &  will  leave  about 
550"'  uncoined,  which  is  too  small  a  quantity  to  proceed  any  furllicr.  without  an 
addition  of  more  Copper.  As  soon  as  the  above  Copper  in  hand  to  be  Coind 
is  finished,  shall  Innnediately  Render  in  the  whole  accounts  of  the  mint  — 

"  1   am  Sir  your  A'erry  Hum'''  Sei'^ 

"doiui  Avei-y  dun'     Kaq'-  Josluia   Witherle" 


264  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

To  which  Avery  replies, 

"  Sir  Boston  Deo.  30"'  1788 

"  Your  fav.  of  Yesterday  respecting  the  Quantity  of  Copper  uncoined 
I  have  communicated  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour  and  I  have  it  in 
charge  from  him  to  inform  you  that  as  soon  as  you  have  compleated  the 
Business  of  coining  the  copjier  on  hand  that  you  make  an  immediate  return 
to  him  thereof  and  render  in  the  whole  Accounts  of  the  mint  and  that  you 
will  be  as  speedy  as  possible  in  the  completion  of  the  Business 

"  I  am  Sir  your  hum   Sev' 

"M-;    Joshua  Witherle  J.  A" 

The  Committee  appointed  on  the  22d  of  Xovember  report  as  follows  : — 
"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses  a^jpointed  to  receive  Proposals  for 
carrying  on  the  Coinage  of  Copj^er  in  this  Commonwealth,  having  attended 
that  Service  and  received  Proposals  fi-om  M'"  Jonathan  Pierce  &  from  Col. 
John  May  are  of  opinion  that  those  made  by  M'"  May  are  best  calculated  to 
pi'omote  the  Interest  of  the  Commonwealth  But  the  Committee  being  in 
doubt  respecting  the  Power  of  the  General  Government  to  contract  this 
Business  submit  the  said  Proposals  to  the  Court  for  their  Consideration  — 

"Cotton  Tufts  if.    ord'" 

"  Mr  Jon-'  Peirces  Proposals  —  for  Coining  Coppers  " 
"Salem  18*"  December  1788 
"Proposals  for  Coining  Copper  for  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  viz* 

"First  I  will  engage  to  give  the  State  for  the  exclusive  right  Ten  per 
Cent  — 

"  Secondly  I  will  lind  my  own  Stock,  on  Governments  taking  the  Coin, 
when  a  certain  quantity  is  made,  which  shall  be  agreed  on,  so  as  to  enable 
me  to  purchase  Stock  from  time  to  time  as  it  is  expended 

"  Jonathan  Peirce  " 

The  following  paper  is  unsigned,  but  endorsed  "  John  May  Esqr  Proposals." 

"  Boston  December  31^.'  1788  — 

"  To  the  Hono.'  Committee  of  both  houses  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, appointed  for  the  purpose  of  Contracting  with  some  person  or 
persons  for  the  Coining  of  Copper  agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
the  Said  Commonwealth  — 

"  Proposials  of  John  May  of  Boston,  for  takeing  the  Mint  and  works  now 
erected  on  the  Lands  of  Major   Josh"    "Wlietherle  together    with    the  roleing 


MASSACHUSETTS.  265 

mills  at  Dedham,  and  all  the  apparatus  allreddy  provided  by  the  Commomvealth, 
for  the  purpose  of  makeing-  Cents  &  half  Cents  agi-eeable  to  y'  ordinance 
of  Congress,  untill  the  Sum  stipulated  by  government  shall  be  Compleeted  — 

"The  Said  May  will  undertake  this  Buisness  and  Carry  it  on  in  the  most 
expeditious  manner,  he  will  at  liis  Own  expence  furnish  the  Stock  &  pay  the 
Expences  of  minfr  and  will  fin-ther  pay  to  the  order  of  the  Commonwealth 
for  the  exclucive  right  of  Coining  the  sum  required  and  the  Use  of  all  the 
materials  that  are  allreddy  provided,  Eleven  Cents  for  every  hundred  Cents, 
coined  until  the  sum  required  is  made  to  Compleet  the  Sum  of  Seventy  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  deducting  however  the  Sum  allreddy  made  by  said  Wetherlee, 
and  the  Said  May  will  furthei-  agree  that  from  and  after  the  Signing  his  Agree- 
ment with  the  Hon'.'  Committee  aflPoresaid,  he  will  exempt  the  Commonweath 
from  every  charge  of  i-ents,  foi-  Said  Land,  Untill  the  expiration  of  said 
Contract.  — 

"  And  it  is  further  Understood  by  Said  May  &  these  prt)posials  are  made 
(HI  this  express  Condition,  that  the  Legislature  or  the  Hon'-'  Connnittee  shall 
indemnify  the  S-  May  against  any  resolve  of  the  New  Federall  Governmt 
that  Shall  tend  to  deprive  him  of  the  right  of  Coining  Cents  &  half  Cents, 
as  the  Federall  Convention  have  Stated  in  the  first  Article  8"'  SecV  of  the 
Said  Constitution  it  being  by  that  Article  expressed  that  No  State  has  Kight 
to    Coin  money  &c,  on  thei'e  own  Accomi:)t. 

"  ol"  these  Circumstances  however  the  Hon'-'  Committee  are  the  best 
Judges  —  " 

The  follow^ing  proposition  has  neither  date  or  signature:  we  insert  it  as 
one  of  the  plans  presented  for  consideration. 

"If  the  legislatui'e  will  pass  a  law  to  the  following  ellecl,  the  State  may 
foi-m  a  contract,  for  the  performance  of  which  the  most  satisfactory  security 
shall  be  given 

"The  Treasurei-  of  the  State  and  —  Mess.  A.  &  B.  to  be  jointly  author- 
ized to  cDiitract  for  the  coining  of  £  LT  M'y,  in  cojiijcr  coin  to  be 
delivered  into  the  treasury  oC  the  State  within  eightci'ii  nionilis  IVoni  the 
first  day  of  Jan'y  1789. 

"The  treasure!',  on  the  rec-  oi"  said  coin  or  any  part  thrifof  not  less 
than  10  ?  Ct  of  the  whole  amount,  to  give  engagemts  to  hv  \k\u\  in  gold  or 
silver,  and  sulyect  to  no  deduction  whatever,  that  the  same  shall  be  i>ai<l  by 
the  state  to  the  contractor  in  live  t'qual  and  yeaily  paynifnts  with  (>  f^  Ct 
in'.'  in  gold   or  silver,   until!   Ilic   |nin(ii>al   sliall   l)e  discharged  — 


266  THE    EAKLY    COIXS    OF    AMERICA. 

"  On  the  contract's  being  formed  and  good  security  given  for  the  per- 
formance the  treasurer  of  the  state  sliall  deposit  into  the  hands  of  such 
person  as  shall  be  deemed  sufficient  by  himself  and  Mess.  A.  &  B.  double 
the  am'  of  the  copi:)er  coin,  in  the  funded  debt  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  as  a  security  for  the  fulfilment  of  tlie  contract  on  tlic  part  of  the 
State,  &  which  said  am'  of  the  deposit  shall  be  lodged  with  the  contractor, 
after  the  coin  is  delivered  to  the  treasurer  to  l)e  returned  by  him  when  he 
shall  have  rec''  payment  for  the  coin,  in  gold  or  silver  ;  and  in  the  same 
state  as  to  principal  and  interest,  as  when  rec'-'  by  him  — 

"  The  del)t  that  the  State  have  incurred  by  their  coinage  to  be  paid,  & 
the  apparatus  purchased  at  a  f;iir  appi'aisement,  l\v  the  contractor  &  to  be 
paid  in  an  additional   sum   in  copper  coin  — " 

The  next  action  of  the  authorities  was  as  follows  :  — 
"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  In  Senate  Jan-.    22'-  1789  — 

"  Ordered  that  Eben'  Bridge  Esq-  with  such  as  the  honorable  House 
may  join  be  a  committee  to  contract  with  John  May  Esq  (A)  for  the  coining 
of  Cents  to  the  amount  of  Seventy  thousand  Dollars  including  wiiat  is  already 
coined,  upon  such  terms  as  shall  be  for  the  interest  of  the  Commonwealth — ■ 
"And  that  upon  like  terms,  they  contract  (B)  with  the  said  May  for  the 
use  and  improvement  of  the  House  &  utensils  used  in  such  coinage,  which 
are  the  property  of  the  Commonwealth  —  (C) 

"  Sent  down  for  concurrence  Sam'    Phillii)s  Jun'  Presd'  " 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives  Feb^   16.  1789 

"  Kead  and  concurred  with  amendment  at  A  &  M^  Mason  of  Boston  & 
M";    Breck  are  joined 

"  W  Heath  Speaker  Pro  Tem 

"  At  A  insert  '  or  with  any  other  person  who  shall  offer  more  advanta- 
geous terms  '  " 

"In  Senate  Feb^    17*  1789  — 

"Read  &  concurred  Sam'.    Phillips  j''  Presid'  " 

"In  Senate  Feb^  17'"  1789  —  Read  again  and  reconsidered  &  the  Senate 
concur  with  the  Hon''.'"  House  with  amendments  at  B  &  C 

"  Sent  down  for  concurrence  Sam'.    Phillips  j'    Presid'- 

"B  dele  'with  the  said  May'  C  ins-  and  the  contract  so  made  by  the 
said  Conunittee  shall  be  binding  on  the  part  of  this  Commonwealth" 


MASSACHUSETTS.  267 

The  conclusion  of  this  i)hase  of"  the  business  is  thus  recorded  in  the 
Journal  of  the  House  of  Kepreseutatives: — 

"Tuesday  Feb  17  1789 

"Amendment  of  the  Hon  Senate  in  the  order  appointing  a  committee  to 
contract  for  the  coinage  of  copper  Read  &  ordered  that  the  consideration  of 
the  whole  subject  be  referred  to  the  next  session  of  the  Genei'al  Court "' 

As  we  find  in  the  i-ecords  no  later  reference  to  this  project,  it  is  pre- 
sumed that  it  was  abandoned  on  account  of  the  article  in  the  Constitution, 
mentioned  by  May,  in  his  petition,  (see  page  265,)  which  provides  that: — 
"The  Congress  shall  have  the  power  *  *  *  To  coin  money,  regulate  the 
value  thereof,  and  of  foreign  coin;  and  fix  the  standard  of  weights  and 
measures:  *  *  *  lS"o  state  shall  enter  into  any  treaty,  alliance  or  confedei-a- 
tiou;  grant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal;  coia  money;  emit  bills  of  ci-edit; 
make  any  thing  but  gold  and  silver  coin  a  tender  in  payment  of  debts;  pass 
any  bill  of  attainder,  ex  post  facto  law,  or  law  imj^airing  the  obligation  of 
contracts,  or  grant  any  title  of  nobility." 

"Thursday  January  22'.'  1789 

"  By  a  resolve  of  the  General  Court  of  the  twenty  second  day  of 
November  last,  The  Governor  &  Council  were  requested  to  cause  all  the 
copper  on  hand  to  be  coined  as  soon  as  possible  &  when  comj^leated  to  dis- 
charge all  tlie  persons  employed  in  the  Mint  until  tlie  further  order  of  the 
General  Coui-t  —  By  the  accounts  this  day  exhibited  it  a])i)ears  that  llie  ex- 
pences  of  the  Mint  since  the  tliirty  first  of  October  last  amounts  to  one 
hundred  thirty  nine  pounds  one  shilling  &  eleven  jjence  1;  —  That  the  moneys 
coined  since  amounts  to  one  hundred  &  nine  j)ounds  two  shillings  &  seven 
pence  —  By  the  representation  of  Mf  Wetherle,  JNIaster  Workman  of  the  Mint, 
it  appears  also  that  all  the  stock  of  copper  suitable  for  this  business  is  now 
expended:  —  It  is  therefore  the  opinion  of  the  Council  that  in  compliance 
with  the  above  order  of  the  Court,  the  Master,  Inspector  &  all  others  now 
employed  in  the  Mint  should  be  discharged  until  the  farther  order  of  the 
General  Court  ;  &  that  measures  should  be  inunediately  a(lo])ted  for  speedy 
settlement  of  the  accounts  — 

"Ordered  that  Nathan  Cashing  &  Artemas  Ward  esq?  be  a  Committee 
to  examine  the  accounts  of  Joshua  Wetherle,  Master  Woiknian  of  ilir  Mint 
exhil)ited  this  day,  together  with  the  accounts  heretofore  exhibited  As  ri-|)ort — "' 


268  THE    EARLY    COESTS    OF    AMERICA. 

The  following  draughts  of  the  letters  discharging  the  officers  and  em- 
ployees of  the  mint,  are  found  in  the  Council  files  at  date. 

"Sir  "Boston  January  23'^    1789 

"Agreeably  to  the  directions  of  the  Governour  &  Council  you  are  hereby 
discharged   from   your   employment    in    the    Buisness    of    coinage  of   Copper 
and  you  are  also  directed  to  discharge  all  the  persons  now  employed  in  that 
Business  untill  the  further  of  the  General  Court  — 
"  I  am  Sir  with  great  Estee 

"  Your  hum  Serv' 

"J.  A" 

"  Sir  "  Boston  Jan^   23.  1789 

"  Agi'eeably  to  the  directions  of  the  Gov.  &  Council  you  are  hereby 
directed  to  discharge  all  the  persons  now  employed  in  the  Buisness  of  the 
Mint  and  you  are  hereby  to  consider  yourself  also  discharged  from  this 
Business  untill  the  further  order  of  the  Court  — 

"  I  am  Sir  your  hum  Sev* " 

"  Sir  "  Boston  January  23.  1789 

"  Agreeably  to  the  directions  of  the  Governour  &  Council  you  are  hereby 
discharged  from  your  employ  as  Insi^ector  of  the  Mint  untill  the  further 
order  of  the  Gen  Court 

"  I  am  Sir  with  great  Este 

"  Your  hum  Sev* 
"Ebenezer  Hancock  Esq  "J.  A" 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Friday,  January  23,  1789  :  ■ — 
"  The  Secretary  brought   down   the  following  message,   from  His  Excel- 
lency the  Governour  viz. 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  &  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives — 
"  In  compliance  with  a  Resolve  of  the  General  Court  of  the  22;^  of  iSTo- 
vember  last  all  the  copper  suitable  for  making  cents,  has  been  worked.  In 
Consecpience  thereof  the  Master  workman,  the  Inspector,  and  all  others  em- 
ployed in  the  mint  are  discharged,  untill  the  further  order  of  the  General 
Court,  and  measures  are  adopted  for  the  most  speedy  settlement  of  all  the 
accounts  ;  which  I  shall  cause  to  be  laid  before  you 

"  The  building  and  tools  necessary  to  carry  on  the  business  of  the  mint 
have   been   built    and    jwocured    at  the  expense  of  the   Commonwealth.     You 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


269 


will  give  such  directions  eoncernine:  thorn,  and  the  remaining  stock  nnsuitahle 

for  the  business  as  shall  best  promote  the  interest  of  the  State. 

Signed  John  Hancock  " 

"Boston  Jany,  23'.'   1789. 


On  Tuesday,  January  27th  1789,  we  find  a  "Warrant  drawn  on  the 
Treasuiy  for  Two  hundred  ninety  eight  pounds  two  shillings  &  seven  pence 
in  fiivor  of  Cajit  Joshua  Wetherle  Master  Workman  of  the  Mint  —  to  be 
paid  in  Cents  &  to  be  accountable  for  the  same  — " 

Before  presenting  the  final  statement  of  the  accounts  of  the  mint-master, 
we  will  give  an  abstract  of  his  statements  of  "Expenses  of  Erecting,  Com- 
pleating  and  Carrying  on  the  Business  of  the  Massachusetts  Mint." 


i   Expence  of  Erecting 
1                 <Sc 

Expence  of 

Carr>in^  on  the 

Business 

Amount  of  Stock 

Amount  of 

the  wliole  acco"^ 

given  in 

QuantiU-  of  Coin 
Straelc. 

1787  Nov^      3  .  . 

1788  Mav     31  .  . 
Jul'y     31  .  . 

Aug!'  30  .  . 

Oct^     31  .  . 

1789  .Tany     21  .  . 

£391     8 

83     1 

188  16 

11  14 

2  10 

111 
1 

4 
0 

£  19  12  4 
108  15  9 
135  19  6 

113     4  6 

54     3  21 
45  13  3| 

£265     2  0 

35  13  6 
1.81     3  6 

£411     1     3| 
191  16  10 

589  18     31 

40     3  10 

92     6     8| 
139     1  11| 

(  2700  Doll«  is 
(    €810  0  0 
129  0  0 
109  2  7 

677  11 

^ 

477     8  7 

431  19  0 

1464     8  11 J 

£1048  2  7 

Witherle's  accounts  were  next  presented  in  Council  ;  wc  give  the  record 
in   full  :  — 

"  Wednesday  January  28*  1789     Present  in  Council 
"His    Honor  Benjamin  Lincoln    Esq^    Lieut.  Govern(jr 
Honble  Nathan  Cushing    Azor  Orne    Jonathan  Gi-ccnieaf    Edward  Cults  Esq''f 
Honlde  Samuel  Adams      John  Fi-ost      William  Piiiilips     Ai-temas  Ward  Esq'* 

"The  Committee  appointed  the  twelfth  instant  to  vvIkuii  was  rcfei'red  tiie 
examination  of  the  accounts  of  M''.  f Joshua  Wetherle  for  the  erecting,  carry- 
ing on  &  piu'chase  of  coppir  lor  llie  Mint  I'rom  the  thiiii  of  November  ITS" 
to  this  day,  reported  a  statement  of  said  Accounts  witli  the  allowances  made 
the  Master  AVorkman  &  the  Inspector  of  said  Mint  &  lin<l  a  hahmce  of  one 
thousand  &  seventy  pounds  ten  shillings  and  three  penceA  tlue  to  Ml.  Joshua 
Wetherle  late  Master    Woi-kman   which   wci-c   ivad   &  lh('rcMi|)on   Advised   that 


270 


THE   EARLT   COESTS    OF   AMERICA. 


His  Excellency  be  requested  to  lay  the  same  before  the  General  Court  with 
the  annexed  inventory  of  those  articles  in  his  hands  belonging  to  the  Com- 
monwealth — 


"Dr.             M^   Joshua  Wetherle  in 

account  with 

The  Commonwealth  of  IMassachusetts 

C^. 

1789 

"  1789     To  3408ii>  of  Copper  from 

Jan  21 

By  amount  of  Account  for 

the  Commissary  General 

the  expences  of  erecting, 

at  Q'l  pr  lb      . 

£131     3 

6 

carrying  on  &  purchase 

"Jaiiy21To     amount    of      copper 

of  copper  for  the  Mint 

coined    at    the    Mint    to 

from  the   3'?  of  Novem- 

this day,   paid    into  the 

ber  1787  to  this  day. 

£1595 

16 

4i 

Treasury  &  received  out 

By  your  salary  from  June 

again     &    sundry    war- 

1.   1787    to   21   January 

rants  from  the  Governor 

1789  is  19  months  &  20 

tfe  Council 

1048     2 

7 

days  at  £300  p''   Annum 

491 

13 

4 

Balance    due   to    Joshua 

By  Ebenezer  Hancock  esqF 

Wetherle 

1070  10 

H 

inspector  of  the  Mint  for 
his  pay  from  the  13*i^  of 
September  1787  to  Jan- 
uary   21!'    1789    is    16 
months      «fc    7     days    at 

. 

£120  pf   Annum     . 

162 

6 

8 

• 

£2249  16 

^ 

£2249 

16 

44 

'  Inventory  of  the  buildings,  implements  «fec  for  coining  of  Cojjpor,  now  on  hand  the  property 

of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  — 


"  2   Buildings  on  Boston  neck  viz*   N?    1  containing  1  Machine  for  cutting  Cents  &c 

1  Do  for  stamping  D° 

1   Cast  iron  frame  for  cutting  Machine 

1  iron  stove  &  funnel 
537"'  Copper  scraps  — 

K?.   2  containing  1  Air  furnace  with  grates  &  doors 

2  iron  bars  .  .  2  IJo  Ladles 
1  DO  Shovel  .  .  1  1)0  Uake 

21  D"  Moulds     2  rolling  machines 
300  White  bricks 
"  2  Buildings  at  Dedham  Viz^. 

N".  1  containing  1  Plating  3Iachinc  —  1  Trii)  hammer  &,  stake 

4  tongs  .  .  2  iron  rollers  —  1  sett  iron  bed  pieces 
1  Foi'ge  .  .  1  Nealing  furnace 
50  white  bricks.  — 
No    2  a  small  coal  house  containing  about  50  bushels  Charcoal 

"Joshua  Witherle" 
"  Boston  21*   Januarv   1789  — 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


271 


"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  In  Senate  June  9'!'  1789 
"  Resolved  that  there  be  allowed  &  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Commonwealth  the  sum  of  Ten  hundred  &  seventy  pounds  ten  shillings  & 
31  from  the  first  money  which  shall  come  into  the  treasury  from  Tax  IS""  6. 
not  already  appropriated  to  Joshua  Wetherle  in  full  \\>y  the  balance  of  an 
account  due  to  him  for  erecting  sundry  buildings  and  lor  carrying  on  the 
business  of  coining  cents. 

"Resolved  further  that  the  said  Wetherle  be  &  he  is  hereby  impowered 
&  requested  to  take  charge'  till  the  fuilher  order  of  this  Court  of  the  afore- 
said building  utensils  &c  the  property  of  this  Commonwealth  remaining,  as 
by  an  Inventory  exhibited  &  annexed  to  his  account  beforementioned." 

"  Thursday  June  II"'  1789 

"  Warrant  drawn  on  the  Treasury  for  One  thousand  &  seventy  pounds 
ten  shillings  &  three  pence!  in  favor  of  Capt  Joshua  Wetherle  in  full  for 
the  balance  of  his  account  for  erecting  buildings  &  carrying  on  the  business 
of  coining  cents  —  to  be  paid  from  the  first  money  that  shall  come  into  the 
Treasury  from  tax  'N"-  6  not  already  appropriated  —  agreeable  to  a  resolve 
of  the  ninth  instant  —  " 

"  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  In  Council  June  17'.!'  1789 

"  His  Excellency  communicated  a  Resolve  of  the  General  Court  in  favor  of 
Joshua  Wetherlee  late  Master  workman  of  the  Copper  Mint,  passed  .June  9"' 
1789,  respecting  the  settlement  of  his  account,  —  and  mentioned,  that  M'  Weth- 
erlee was  desirous  that  the  bonds  he  gave  upon  his  introduction  to  the  said 
business  of  coinage  might  be  cancelled  —  and  asked  the  advice  of  Council  : 
The  Council  thereupon  Advised,  that  the  bonds  of  Joshua  Wetherlee  be  can- 
celled, and  that  his  Excellency  give  order  to  the  Treasurer  to  cancell  said  Bonds 
accordingly  — 

"  A  true  copy  from  the  Minutes  of  Council  John  Avery  jun"'  Sec^  " 

''You  are  hereby  directed  to  cancell  the  bonds  of  Joshua  Wetherlee  agree- 
able to  the  above  advice  ol"  Coiiiicil — 

"  To  Alexander  Hodgdon  Esq!  j^j^^^  Hancock  " 

Joshua  Wetherle's  bond  is  next  presented  :  — 

"Know  all  Men  by  these  presents  that  We  Joshua  Witherly  df  l^oston  in 
the  County  of  Suffolk  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  Esq""  as  Principal 
in  the  full  and  just  Sum  of  one  thousand   pouiuls  and  Caleb  Davis  of  Boston 


272  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

Esq.  and  Mr  Benjamen  Cobb  of  said  Boston  and  of  the  said  County  of  LSuffolk 
Merchant  —  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  each  as  Sureties  are  held,  and 
stand  firmly  bound  and  obliged  to  Alexander  Hodgdon  Esq'  Treasurer  and 
receivir  General  of  this  Commonwealth  or  to  his  Successor  in  said  Office  —  To 
which  Payment  well  and  truly  to  be  made  We  bind  ourselves,  our  Heirs,  Execu- 
toi's,  and  administrators  jointly  and  severally  firmly  by  these  presents  sealed 
with  our  Seals  and  dated  this  sixteenth  day  of  May  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand,  seven  hundred  and  Eighty  seven,  and  in  the  Eleventh  year  of  the 
Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America — 

"  The  Condition  of  this  obligation  is  such,  that  whereas  the  said  Joshua 
Witherly  Esq  is  appointed  by  his  Excellency  the  Governour  and  the  Council  to 
carry  on  the  buisness  of  coinage  of  copper,  procure  the  materials  tor  the  purpose 
of  erecting  a  Furnace,  and  doing  every  thing  necessary  for  the  carrying  on  said 
coinage;  if  therefore  the  said  Joshua  Witherly  shall  truly,  and  faithfully 
discharge  the  duty  of  his  trust,  according  to  Law,  and  agreeable  to  such  Rules 
and  regulations  respecting  the  well  oi-dering  and  managing  the  buisniss  of  the 
said  Mint,  as  shall  be  established  by  the  Governour  and  Council  and  render  an 
Account  of  his  proceedings  as  often  as  shall  be  required  by  the  Governour  and 
Council  and  shall  appropriate  the  Copper  that  he  may  be  furnished  with  by  the 
Governour  and  Council  to  the  buisness  of  coinage  of  Copper,  and  defraying  the 
Expence  of  the  same,  then  the  above  written  obligation  to  be  void  and  of  none 
Effect,  but  in  default  there  of  to  remain  in  full  force  — • 

"  Signed,  sealed  &  delivered  j^^l^,  y^r-^^^^^^.^^    [-,.,.  j 

m  presence  of  us  -  ^^^^^  ^^^.^  ^  ^^  -j 

"John  Avery  jun  Benj  Cobb  [l.s.]" 

"W  Harris  "^  "-       ^ 

"  Treasury  Office  Boston  17  June  1789 

"By  Virtue  ol'  and  Order  from  His  Excellency  the  Governor  with  Advice 
of  Council  dated  this  day  this  Bond  is  cancel'd  by  me  — 

Alex""  Hodgdon  Treas'  " 

The  following  petition  relates  to  the  further  use  of  the  mint  buildings:  — 
"  To  the  Hon'''-  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Common  Wealth 

of  Massachusetts 

"  The  Petition  of  Joshua  Witherle  of  Boston  humbly  Sheweth, 

"  That  your  petitioner  being  informed  that  your  Hon'*  have  been  pleased  to 

request  or  direct  him  to  take  charge  of  the  Buildings  &  apparatus  of  the  Mint 


MASSACHUSETTS.  273 

until  the  further  Orders  of  Government,  which  your  petitioner  has  no  objection 
to  —  And  begs  leave  to  inform  your  Hon'.'  That  He,  in  order  to  save  expences  to 
Government,  erected  those  buildings  on  his  own  land,  for  which  he  has  not 
charg'd  any  Rent  —  Except  the  land  &  Stream  at  Dedham,  where  1  he  plating 
Mill  stands,  which  laud  &  stream  is  leased  to  your  petit ioiicr  lur  a  nuiuljer  of 
years,  with  a  design  of  carrying  on  a  particular  Manulactuiv'  which  he  concieves 
may  be  beneficl  to  the  public  as  well  as  to  himself —  Your  Petitioner  therefore 
prays  your  Hon?  for  libert}^  of  making  use  of  s'.'  Mill,  until  Govei'ument  shall 
see  fit  to  dispose  of  it  otherways,  in  consideration  of  which  your  petitioiier  is 
Avilling  to  relinquish  the  rent  of  s'.'  land  &  Stream  &  to  take  care  of  the  buildings 
&  Apparatus  of  the  Mint  without  any  expence  to  Government  —  AVhich  will 
enable  your  petitioner  to  pi-osecute  the  afores''  business.  And  your  Petitioner 
as  in  duty  bound  shall  pray 

"Boston  10  June  1789  Joslv:  Witherle" 

"  Comm  of  Massachusetts     In  Senate  26th  June  1789 

"On  the  petition  of  Joshua  Witherle  —  Resolved  that  the  said  Witherle 
until  till'  iurthcr  order  of  the  General  Court,  have  liberty  to  make  use  of  the 
mill  at  Dedham,  with  the  hunse,  appurtenances,  and  utensils  to  the  same 
belonging,  which  were  erected  and  provided  for  the  service  of  the  mint,  he 
keeping  the  same  in  good  repair,  &  i-eturniug  them  when  required,  accoi'ding  to 
an  inventory  which  has  been  exhibited  by  said  "SVithei'le  without  any  charge  or 
expence  to  the  government  —  " 

A  Resolve  of  June  10,  1790,  relates  to  the  disposal  of  the  copper  coin 
in  the  State  Treasury. 

" Hesohed,  That  the  Treasurer,  be,  and  he  heieby  is  directed  to  pay 
out  the  coj^per  cents  now  in  tlu;  treasury,  in  discharge  of  the  debts  due  from 
the  Commonwealth,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  eight  cents  for  six  shillings 
lawlul  money,  subject  however  to  such  a])])i'opi-iations  as  have  been  oi-  may 
be  made  by  the  Legislatui'c,  of  the  other  jjublic  monies  in  the  treasury,  and 
that  the  Treasurer  receive  the  same  in  payments  at  the  same  rate,  any  law 
or  resolve  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding." 

Joshua  Witherle's  house  stood  upon  the  site  now  occupied  by  dwelling 
houses  numbered  from  1132  to  J 141  Washington  Street,  East  AYallham  Street 
dividing  the  estate  near  its  southerly  line.     IJusluu'll  in  his  manuscript  Niuuis- 


1  Pii)l)alily  tlic  working;  111"  ((iiiinr.     'I'lic  r.osiiiii  1  )irfct«ry  of  1789  says,  "  Witlierle  .losliua 
&  Co.  C0]>pt'r-Miiitlis,  Iiouso  '\V;isliiiij,'Ioii->tii'i't,  >\\ii\\  in  Kill)y-slrcct." 


274  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

matic  Notes  says  of  it,  "The  mint  house  stood  directly  in  the  rear  of  Joshua 
Witherle's  house,  now  three  stories  high,  of  wood,  numbered  910  Washington 
street,  and  has  been  occupied  for  several  yeai's  as  a  lying-in  hospital  at  Boston 
Neck.  The  building  used  as  a  mint  house  was  a  wooden  one,  one  stoi'y  in 
height,  of  high  stud,  about  twenty  feet  wide  by  forty  feet  in  length.  Mr. 
"Withei'le  had  probaljly  occupied  the  building  previous  to  the  period  of  the  State 
coinage.  He  was  a  copper  smith  by  trade,  and  was  commonly  known  among 
the  boys  of  Boston,  by  the  appellation  of  'The  Cent  Maker.'" 

"  Some  years  ago  there  was  a  report  that  silver  coins  were  struck  at  the 
Mass.  mint,  1787-88,  bearing  the  devices  of  the  cents  and  half  cents.  The 
following  letter  written  by  the  late  Judge  Savage,  who  was  high  authority  upon 
Mass.  history,  is  in  reply  to  a  query  upon  the  truth  of  the  above  report  : 

., ,  T-w        o  •  "  '  Boston  5  Novr.  1853. 

'■  'Dear  Sii-, 

"  'To  the  several  questions  in  j-our  note  of  the  2!  inst.  relative  to  our  mint 
in  Boston,  I  can  make  no  answer,  except  to  the  last.  Xo  silver  coins  were 
struck. 

"'How  vexatious  is  our  ignorance  ;  l)ut  the  blessed  advent  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Union  so  soon  putting  an  end  to  our  copper  shop,  will  explain  it. 

Yours,  Jas.  Savage.' " 

The  copper  for  the  coins  of  Massachusetts,  (excepting  a  small  quantity 
which  was  drawn  at  Newton,)  after  being  cast  into  ingots  at  the  mint  at  Boston, 
was  cai'ted  to  the  mill  at  Dedham,  where  it  was  drawn  under  a  trip-hammer,  and 
rolled  into  sheets,  when  it  was  returned  to  the  mint,  where  the  lilanks  were 
prepared  and  the  coin  stamped. 

The  carting  to  and  from  Dedham  is  said  to  have  been  done  by  Rufus 
Whiting,  who  appears  to  have  been  a  primitive  expressman,  taking  orders  from 
the  inhabitants  of  Dedham  for  such  articles  as  they  desired,  purchasing  them  in 
Boston  and  delivering  them  at  their  homes.  Taking  payment  for  his  services 
for  the  mint  in  cents,  he  made  his  payments  in  the  same  until  they  became  so 
plentiful  as  to  cause  some  difficulty  in  making  his  larger  purchases  ;  after 
which,  if  he  wished  fifty  pounds  of  sugar,  or  merchandise  of  similar  amount  he 
was  compelled  to  obtain  part  at  one  store,  and  part  at  another,  until  his  order 
was  completed.  Why  tradition  should  have  selected  Rufus,  from  among  the 
many  Whitings,  is  uncertain,  but  the  mint  accounts  which  are  preserved  in  the 
archives,  (Vol.  140,)  contain  bills  from  Joseph  and  Paul,  Richard,  William, 
Rufus,  Moses,  and  Edward  Whiting,  all  having  charges  for  carting  copjier. 


NEW    JERSEY. 


An  earlier  date  is  found  upon  many  of  the  coins  issued  under  the 
authority  of  New  Jersey,  than  upon  those  of  Massachusetts  ;  but  we  have 
given  precedence  to  the  State  last  named,  because  her  consideration  of  the 
subject  of  a  coinage  of  copper  preceded  that  of  New  Jersey,  though  only  by 
a  short  time ;  the  act  authorizing  a  coinage  in  this  State  was,  however, 
passed  some  months  earlier  than  was  that  of  Massachusetts. 

It  is  probable  that  the  undertakers  of  this  coinage,  having  already  had 
some  experience  in  the  business,  (as  it  is  said  that  Mould  had  followed  a 
similar  occupation  in  England,  and  l)rought  to  this  country  his  entire  api)a- 
ratus,  prejjared  to  continue  it,)  found  fewer,  and  less  serious  obstacles  to 
overcome  in  the  establislnnent  of  their  mint,  than  did  Witherle  ;  and  although 
they  soon  disagreed  and  established  separate  mints,  they  were  able  to  issue 
tlicir  coins  much  more  speedily,  and  to  a  greater  amount  than  he  I'ound  it 
possible  to  do. 

The  first  introduction  of  the  pi'oject  of  coining  in  this  State  is  recorded 
in  the- "Votes  and  I'l'oceedings  of  the  tenth  General  Assembly",  on  Tuesday, 
May  23d,  178G,  when  :  - 

"  The  Speaker  laid  before  the  House  jn-oposals  made  by  Walter  Mould, 
Thomas  Goadsby  and  alhion  ('n\  lor  striking  a  Copt)er  Coin  for  tlie  State 
of  New-Jersey  which  was  read  Whereupon  Ordered,  That  Mess"  A  Clark, 
R  S  Smith,  Siicppard,  Marsh  and  Nicoll  be  a  Connnittee  to  Confer  with  the 
said  Walter  Mould  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  on  the  Subject  of  the 
said  i)roposals  and  report  to  the  House  the  Terms  they   may  agree  upon  " 


276  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

"Wednesday  May  24.  1786.  M'  A  Clark  from  the  Committee  Appointed 
to  Confer  with  Walter  Mould  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  on  the  Subject 
of  their  proposals  for  striking  a  Copper  Coin  in  the  State  of  New-Jersey 
reported  as  follows  : 

"  That  they  have  held  the  conference  for  which  they  wei'e  appointed  and 
have  agreed  with  JNF  Mould  in  behalf  of  himself  and  Associates  on  either  of 
the  Conditions  following,  as  may  be  most  agreeable  to  the  Legislature 

"  First  That  said  Persons  if  authorized  to  Coin  a  sum  in  Coppers  not 
to  exceed  ten  thousand  pounds  will  engage  to  Coin  that  sum  and  no  more 
and  to  pay  one  eleventh  part  thereof  to  the  State 

"  Secondly  If  they  shall  be  permitted  to  Coin  any  greater  sum  than  the 
ten  thousand  pounds  limitted  by  persons  authorized  tor  that  purpose  who 
may  sto^J  such  Coinage  whenever  a  sum  shall  be  Coined  to  as  large  an 
amount  as  will  pass  current  without  Depreciation  they  will  engage  to  Coin 
at  least  ten  thousand  Pounds  and  to  pay  to  the  State  one  tenth  part  of  all 
the  sums  they  may  Coin  which  several  Conditions  are  Submitted  to  the 
House 

"  By  order  of  the  Committee, 

"Ab'?  Clark" 

"  The  House  having  taken  the  above  report  into  Consideration  Ordered, 
That  M"  Mould  and  his  Associates  have  leave  to  bring  in  a  Bill  agreeably 
to  the  Last  mentioned  Condition  ***** 

"  M""  Marsh  agreeably  to  leave  given  and  in  behalf  of  the  Petitioners 
presented  the  draught  of  a  Bill  intituled  'An  Act  for  the  Establishment  of 
a  Coinage  of  CojJjjer  in  this  State '  which  Bill  was  read  and  ordered  a  second 
I'eading." 

"  Thursday,  May  25.  1786.  A  Petition  from  William  Leddle  Esq.  Accom- 
panied with  proposals  for  Coining  of  Coj^per  was  read.     Whereupon 

"  The  Bill  intituled  '  An  Act  for  the  establishment  of  a  Coinage  of 
Copper  in  this  State '  was  a  second  time  debated  and  Ordered  to  be  en- 
grossed." 

Who  William  Leddle,  or  Leddel  as  he  writes  it,  was,  we  know  not  ; 
but  he  seems  to  have  received  rather  cool  treatment,  not  even  "  Leave  to 
withdraw "  being  recoi-ded  upon  his  petition.  This  paper  we  have  been  so 
fortunate  as  to  obtain,  but  that  of  Mould,  Goadsby  and  Cox,  cannot  now  be 
found. 


NEW   JEKSEY.  277 

The  Petition  of  William  Leddcl. 

"  To  the  Honourable  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  jersey  now 
Sitting  at  New  Brunswick. — 

"The  Memorial  and  Petition  of  AVilliam  Leddel  humbly  Sheweth, — 

"That  your  Memorialist,  being  at  present  possest,  of  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  Copper,  the  Production  of  this  State,  suitable  in  quality  for  a  copper 
Coin,  and  in  possesion  of  sundry  Iron  Factories,  in  which  the  Coinage  of 
Coppers  would  be,  by  Him,  easily  performed,  and  without  any  very  consid- 
erable expence,  and  having  for  some  Time  past,  considered  a  copper  coinage, 
to  be  carried  on  in  this  State,  subject  to  the  controul  of  proper  Commis- 
sioners appointed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  Same,  as  a  circulating  Medium, 
for  small  Change,  and  Export,  as  an  eligable  Expedient, — The  evident  Utility 
thereof, — 

"  hath  induced,  your  Memorialist,  to  beleive  and  Pray,  that  your  Honors 
would  gi'ant  him  the  Privillidge,  of  coining  a  sum  of  Money  in  Coppers  as 
large  as  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  your  Honors,  to  regulate  Said 
Coinage,  should  See,  expedient  and  necessary, — 

"  To  induce  your  Honors,  to  grant  the  Prayer  oi"  your  Memoi'iulist,  he 
humbly  Offers,  for  your  Consideration  the  following  Proposals,  viz*  — • 

"That  the  Coppers,  when  coined  shall  be  eaqual  in  weight,  and  in  (|iiality 
to  the  best,  Coppers  that  ever  hath  circulated  in  this  State, — 

"  That  the  Legislature  shall  have  the  Privillidge,  to  give  the  Divise  or 
impression  to  be  made  on  the  Coppers  so  to  be  coined. — and 

"That  in  consideration  of  such  Permission,  your  Memorialist  will  pay 
into,  and  render  unto  the  Treasury  of  this  State  every  Ninth  Copper,  and 
that  your  Memorialist,  will  at  any  Time,  at  the  Desii-e  of  the  Treasurer,  or 
the  Commissioners  Affor'esaid,  receive  any  Paper  Money  emitted  by  this  State 
and  taken  in  Payment  for  Taxes,  in  exchange  for  Copjjei's  so  made  and 
Coined. — 

"Should  3-()ur  llonoi's,  doul)t  tiic  Skill  and  abillity,  of  your  Memorialist, 
to  compleat  the,  said  ( 'oinage  he  prayeth  that  he  may  huxr  ii\  e  Days,  to 
convince  your  Honors,  by  producing  an  Ensample  of  his  own  Performance 
your  Honors  at  the  same  Time  giving  the  im|)ression  and   Weight,  .  — 

"New   Bi'unswick. —  "And  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty 

"25'."  May   178(5.  Bound  Shall  ever  Pray 

W."  Leddel" 


278  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

We  copy  the  act  of  Jane  1st,  1786,  from  the  Pamphlet  Laws  of  New 
Jersey. 

Chapter  CLIY. 
"An  Act  for  the  Establishment  of  a  Coinage  of  Copper  in  this  State. 

"  Whereas  the  Copper  Coin  now  current  and  passing  in  this  State  con- 
sists mostly  of  base  Metal,  and  of  Coppers  so  small  and  light  as  to  be  of 
very  little  real  Value,  whereby  the  Citizens  of  this  State  are  subjected  to 
manifest  IjOss  and  Inconvenience,  and  are  liable  to  be  greatly  defrauded  ;  for 
Remedy  whereof, 

"  Sect.  1.  Be  it  Enacted  hy  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of 
this  State,  and  it  is  hereby  Enacted  by  the  Authority  of  the  same,  That  Walter 
Mould,  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox,  and  the  Survivors  and  Survivor  of 
them,  ai'e  hereby  authorized  and  empowered,  from  and  after  the  Publication 
of  this  Act,  to  strike  and  coin  in  Copper,  for  this  State,  a  Sum  equal  in 
Value  to  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  at  fifteen  Coppers  to  the  Shilling. 

"  2.  And  be  it  farther  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid.  That  the 
Coppers  so  to  be  coined  shall  be  of  pure  Copper,  and  of  the  Weight  of  six 
Pennyweight  and  six  Gfains  ;  that  they  shall  be  manufiictured  and  coined 
within  this  State,  and  shall  have  such  Marks  and  Inscriptions  as  shall  be 
directed  by  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  or  any  one  of  them. 

"  3.  And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid.  That  the  said 
Coppei'S  so  to  be  struck  and  coined,  shall  be  of  the  Value  aforesaid,  unless  the 
United  States  in  Congress  assembled  shall,  by  a  publick  Act,  alter  the  Valua- 
tion thereof,  to  which  Alteration  the  Value  thereof  shall  at  all  Times  be 
subject. 

"4.  And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid.  That  the 
said  Walter  Mould,  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox,  before  they  shall  enter 
on  or  liegin  the  Coinage  aforesaid,  shall  enter  into  Bond  to  the  Governor  or 
Commander  in  Chief  of  this  State,  to  the  Use  of  the  State,  with  at  least  two 
sutKeient  Sureties,  in  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds,  conditioned  that  the 
said  Walter  Mould,  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox,  or  one  or  more  of 
them,  shall,  within  two  Years  after  the  Publication  of  this  Act,  strike  and 
coin,  within  this  State,  the  full  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  in  Coppers  as 
aforesaid  ;  and  that  they  shall  faithfully  and  honestly  demean  themselves  in 
coining  said  Coppers  ;  and  that  they  will  deliver  to  the  Treasurer  of  this 
State,  or  his  Order,  for  the  Use  of  the  State,  one  Tenth  Part  of  the  full  Sum 
they   shall   strike  and  coin  as  aforesaid,  which  said  Tenth   Part  shall  be  paid 


JSTEW    JERSEY.  279 

quarterly  unto  the  Treasurer,  as  aforesaid,  by  the  said  AValter  Mould,  Thomas 
Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox,  from  the  Time  they  shall  begin  to  coin  as  aforesaid 
during  the  Time  they  may  carry  on  said  lousiness  ;  which  Bond  the  Treasurer 
is  authorized  and  empowered  to  take,  and  the  same  to  file  in  the  Auditor's 
Office  :  And  the  said  Walter  Mould,  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox,  shall, 
at  the  Time  of  giving-  said  Bond,  respectively  take  an  Oath  or  Affirmation 
tiint  they  will  well  and  ti'uly  account  to  the  Legislature  for  the  Tenth  Part 
of  all  the  Coppers  they  may  coin  as  aforesaid,  and  that  they  will  trul}^  and 
faithfully  execute  the  said  Coinage  agreeably  to  the  true  Intent  and  Meaning 
of  this  Act. 

"5.  And  be  it  further  Enacted,  That  if  any  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever 
shall  strike  or  coin  any  Coppers  within  this  State,  without  Leave  being  first 
had  and  obtained  from  the  Legislature  to  do  the  same,  shall  forfeit  and  pay, 
for  each  Day  he  or  they  may  be  so  employed  in  striking  or  coining  Coppers 
contrary  to  the  true  Intent  antl  Meaning  of  this  Act,  the  Sum  of  Twelve 
Pounds,  to  be  recovered  by  the  Collector  of  the  County  in  an  Action  of  Debt  in 
any  Court  where  the  same  may  be  cognizable,  with  Costs  of  Suit,  to  be  paid 
into  the  Treasury  of  the  State  for  the  Time  being  for  the  Use  of  the  State. 

"Passed  at  !New  Brunswick,  June  1,  1786." 

In  the  General  Assembly,  Friday,  jS^ovember  17th,  1786:  — 

"A  Petition  from  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  was  read,  i)raving 
a  Supplement  may  be  made  to  the  Act  intituled,  'An  Act  lor  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Coinage  of  Copper  in  this  State;'  which  may  enable  them  iude- 
pendant  of  Walter  Mould,  in  said  Act  named,  to  proceed  to  the  Coinage  of 
two  thirds  of  the  sum  limited  by  the  Aforesaid  Act  : 

"  Ordered,  That  the  said  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  havi'  leave 
to  present  a  Bill  agreeably  to  the  prater  of  their  Petition.  A  Petition  from 
M"'  Mould  was  I'cad,  and  ordcivd  to  be  read  a  second  time  when  the  said 
Bill  shall  be  presented  to  the  House." 

"^Hatui'day  November  LS.  178()  *  *  *  *  *  M'  Dayton  agreeably  to  leave 
given,  presented  the  di'aught  of  a  l>ill  intituled  'A  Supplementary  Act  to 
the  Act  intituled.  An  Act  lor  the  Establishment  of  a  C/oinage  of  CopjJer  in 
this  State  ;   which   was  read  and   oi-dered  a  second  reading." 

'i'lic    i'olldwing   is  a   copy   of  the  original    nianuscri[>t    oi'  this   bill  :  — 

"State  of  New  ficrsey 

"A   Sn|ii)l('inent;n-y   Art  to  the    Act   inlilnlcd  'An    Act  I'oi-  the  establishment 


280  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

of  a  Coinage  of  Copper  in  this  State.'  Whereas  by  An  Act  passed  at  Bruns- 
wick the  first  day  of  June  last  intituled  '  An  Act  for  the  establishment  of  a 
Coinage  of  Copper  in  this  State,'  Walter  Mould  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion 
Cox  were  jointly  nominated  to  execute  the  said  business  subject  to  certain 
conditions  restrictions  and  penalties  and  whereas  it  appears  that  delays  have 
been  occasioned  and  the  good  intentions  of  the  before  mentioned  Act  is  likely 
to  be  defeated  by  the  Circumstances  of  the  parties  being  jointly  bound  to 
execute  the  Contract  therefore  in  oi'der  to  facilitate  and  forward  the  business 
agreeably  to  and  on  the  Terms  prescribed  by  said  act 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of  this  State,  and 
it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  Authority  of  the  same 

"■  That  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  said  Thomas  Goadsby  and 
Albion  Cox  from  and  after  the  publication  of  this  Act  to  proceed  in  the 
Coinage  of  two  thii'd  parts  of  the  sum  Authorised  in  the  Act  intituled  'An 
Act  for  the  establishment  of  a  Coinage  of  Coper  in  this  State,  to  wit,  of  six 
thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty  six  pounds  thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence 
in  as  full  and  Ample  a  manner  as  they  might  have  done  under  the  former 
Act  had  the  said  Walter  INIould  joined  himself  to  and  subscribed  the  Condi- 
tions and  penalties  enjoined  by  said  Act 

"Provided  ]N^evertheless  and  it  is  hereby  understood  and  I'cquired  that 
previous  to  the  entering  upon  the  business  aforesaid  they  the  said  Thomas 
Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  give  and  enter  into  like  Bonds  and  take  the  same 
Oath  as  is  prescribed  Ijy  the  beibre  mentioned  Act  excepting  onl}'  so  far  as 
relates  to  the  joining  of  the  said  Walter  Moidd  to  the  said  Thomas  Goadsby 
and  Albion  Cox  and  also  that  they  be  subject  to  the  like  limitations  and 
restrictions  with  those  pointed  out  in  the  said  Act  ; 

"And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  Authority  Aforesaid  that  the  said  Walter 
Mould  be  and  he  is  hereby  Authorised  and  empowered  to  begin  and  enter 
upon  the  Coinage  of  the  remaining  third  part,  to  wit,  three  thousand  three 
hundred  and  thirt3'-thi-ee  pounds  six  shillings  and  eight  pence  upon  his  pre- 
viously taking  the  like  Oath  and  giving  a  separate  Bond  in  his  own  name 
with  two  sufficient  sureties  for  the  same  sum  and  under  the  same  restrictions 
Conditions  and  penalties  with  those  required  from  the  said  Walter  Mould 
Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  in  the  before  recited  Act  Provided  alwaj'S 
that  in  case  of  neglect  refusal  or  falure  on  the  part  of  the  said  Walter  Mould 
to  comply  with  the  above  Conditions  and  enter  upon  the  Coinage  of  the 
above  mentioned  one  third  within  two  months   from  the   date  hereof  it   shall 


NEW   JEKSEY.  281 

and  may  in  that  Case  be  lawful  for  the  said  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion 
Cox  to  take  upon  themselves  solely  the  whole  coinage  of  the  sum  of  ten 
thousand  pounds  as  fully  and  amply  and  under  the  same  exclusion  Conditions 
and  restrictions  as  Walter  Mould  Thomas  Goadsby  and  Albion  Cox  were  b^y 
the  Ibrmer  Act  empowered  jointly  to  do 

"And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  Authority  Aforesaid  that  if  they  or 
either  of  them  neglect  to  give  bond  as  aforesaid  he  or  they  so  neglecting  shall 
be  made  liable  to  forfeit  and  pay  the  same  sum  to  be  recovered  in  the  same 
manner  that  other  persons  are  made  liable  to  pay  for  striking  or  Coining 
Coppers  by  the  before  recited  Act. 

"  Council  Chamber  Nov^  22"  1786.  "  House    of  Assembly  November 

This    Ke-engrossed    Bill    having   been  22'?    1786 

read    and    compared   Resolved  —  That  "This    re-engrossed    Bill    having 

the   same    do    pass.     By  Order  of  the  been    read    and    Compared    Resolved 

House  That  the  same  do  pass     By  order  of  the 

Wil.  Livingston  Presdt."  House         Benj^  Van  Cleve  Sp"; " 

On  Tuesday,  May  29th,  1787,  "Mr.  Kitchel,  with  Leave  of  the  House, 
bi'ought  in  a  Bill,  intitled,  'An  Act  to  prevent  the  Circulation  of  bad  and 
light  Coppers  in  this  State;'  which  was  read,  and  ordered  a  second  reading." 

This  bill,  aftei-  the  usual  references  from  Council  to  Assembly,  and  from 
Assembly  to  Council,  and  undergoing  sevei'al  amendments,  w'as  passed  June 
4th,  1787. 

Chapter  CXCVII. 
"  An  Act  to  prevent  the  Cii'culation  of  bad  and  light  Coppers  in  this  State. 

"  AVhereas  the  Circulation  of  Coppers  which  are  of  base  Metal  and 
below  the  proper  Standard,  must  be  productive  of  great  Evils  to  the  com- 
mercial Part  of  this  State,  if  not  timely  prevented  ;  therefore, 

"  Be  it  Enacted  hy  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of  this  State, 
and  it  is  hereby  Enacted  by  the  Authority  of  the  same,  That  if  any  Person 
or  Persons,  from  and  after  the  twentieth  Day  of  July  next,  shall  pass  or  oiler 
to  i)ass  in  Payment,  or  in  Exchange  within  this  State,  any  Coppers  other  than 
those  made  within  the  same,  agreable  to  Permission  given  by  a  Law  passed 
the  fii'st  Day  of  June,  One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Eighty-six,  and 
the  Supplement  thereto,  passed  the  twenty-second  Day  of  Novembei-,  in  the 
same  Year,  each  and  every  Person  or  Persons,  so  offending,  shall  forfeit  and 
pay  ten  Times  the  nominal   N'alne  of  the  Sum  or  Stuns  so  olfered  in  Payment, 


282  THE    EARLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

or  in  Exchange,  to  be  recovered  by  Action  of  Debt,  by  any  Person  that  will 
sue  for  and  recover  the  same,  with  Cost  of  Suit,  to  and  for  his  own  Use  : 
Provided,  That  Nothing  in  this  Act  contained  shall  be  construed  to  extend 
to  any  Copper  Coin  that  shall  be  struck  by  the  United  States  of  America  in 
Congress  assembled. 

"Passed  at  Burlington,  June  4,  1787." 

Mr.  Bushnell  furnishes    the    following,  from   his    manuscript   Numismatic 

Notes. 

Extract  from  a  letter   from    W.  C.  Baker,  to  Charles   I.  Bushnell,  dated    Jlorristowii,  Aug.  8, 

1855. 

"There  were  two  mint-houses  in  this  State,  one  located  in  Morristown, 
and  the  other  in  Elizabethtown.  The  mint-house  in  the  former  place,  which 
is  still  standing,  was  the  residence  of  John  Cleve  Symmes,  Chief  Justice  of 
the  State  of  New  Jersey,  uncle  to  John  Cleve  Symmes,  author  of  '  The  Hole 
at  the  North  Pole',  and  father-in-law  of  Gen.  Wm.  H.  Harrison,  President 
of  the  United  States.  The  residence  was  called  '  Solitude.'  It  was  at  one 
time  occupied  by  a  Mr.  Holloway,  and  is  known  by  some  as  the  '  HoUoway 
House.'  The  mint  here  was  carried  on  by  Walter  Moidd,  an  Englishman, 
who  previous  to  his  coming  to  America,  had  been  employed  in  a  similar  way, 
in  Birmingham.  In  the  coinage  of  the  New  Jersey  coppers,  a  screw  with  a 
long  lever  was  employed.  This  infoi'mation  is  vouched  for  by  Mr.  Lewis 
Condict,  of  Morristown,  who  saw  the  mint  in  operation. 

"  The  building  in  Elizabethtown,  used  as  a  mint-house,  is  near  to  the 
house  formerly  occupied  by  Col.  Francis  Barber,  of  the  Revolutionary  army, 
and  is  known  as  the  '  Old  Armstrong  House.'  It  is  still  standing,  and  is 
situated  in  Water  Street,  and  the  coins  were  made  in  a  shed  back  of  the 
main  building.  The  coining  here  was  carried  on  by  a  man  named  Gilbert 
Rindle,  probably  for  account  of  Messrs.  Goadsby  and  Cox.  I  have  this  from 
Mrs.  ,  of  Elizabethtown,  who  remembers  the  circumstance." 

Mr.  Bushnell  further  says: 

"Mr.  J.  R.  Halsted  informed  me  some  [20]  3'ears  ago  that  an  acquaint- 
ance of  his  knew  a  Mr.  Hattield,  who  claimed  to  have  made  dies  and  coined 
New  Jersey  coppers,  in  a  barn,  (Mr.  Halsted  thought)  below  Elizabethtown, 
in  striking  which  he  was  assisted  by  a  negro." 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Bushnell  for  a  copy  of  an  affidavit  of  John 
Bailey,  who,  it  seems,  also  made  New  Jersey  Coppers. 


NEW   JERSEY. 


283 


"  '  City  of  ]S"ew  York,  ss. 

" '  Personally  appeared  before  me,  Jeremiah  Wool,  one  of  the  Aldermen 
of  the  said  City,  Jolm  Bailey,  of  the  said  City  of  New  York,  cutler,  who 
being-  duly  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith,  That  since  the  fifteenth  day  of  April, 
1788,  he  hath  not,  either  by  himself  or  others,  made  or  struck  any  coppers 
bearing  the  impression  of  those  circulated  by  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  com- 
monly called  Jersey  coppers  :  and  that  what  he  so  made  previous  to  the  said 
fifteenth  of  April,  was  in  conformity  to,  and  by  authoi'ity  derived  from  an 
Act  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  entitled,  "An  Act  for  the  establishment  of 
a  Coinage  of  Copper  in  that  State,  passed  June  the  first,  178G." 

" '  John  Bailey. 

"  '  Sworn  this  first  day  of  August  1789 

"'Before  me,  Jeremiah  "Wool,  Alderman.'  " 

The  coins  of  New  Jersey  are  of  a  single  type,  but  many  varieties  :  — 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  horse's  head,  placed  upon  a  vvi-eath  as  in  heraldry,  beneath 
which  is  a  plough. 

Legend,  —  nova  c^i<;sarea 

In  exergue,  — The  date,  — 178G,  1787  or  1788. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  shield,  argent,  six  pales  gules,  a  chief  azure. 

Legend,  —  *  k  ♦  i'i.uribus  ♦  unum  ♦ 

Borders,  —  Serrated.     Edges,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  IG  to  19. 

Some  obverses  have  three  leaves  under  the  horse's  head,  and  some  re- 
verses, two  branches,  or  sjirigs,  crossed  under  the  shield. 

The  weights  of  the  coins  of  178G,  are  from  137  to  178  grains  ;  1787,  108 
to  1G5  grains,  and  of  1788,  136  to  IGO  grains  ;  heavier  specimens  undoubt- 
edly exist,  as  all  the  heaviest  wc  have  weighed  were  consideraldy  worn,  while 
the  lightest  were  nearly  uncirculated  specimens. 

Tables  of  the  varieties  will   be  found  on  the  two  pages  following. 


284 


THE    EARLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 


1786.     OBVERSES. 


No. 

Legend  and  Punctuation. 

Handle  Ends. 

Beam. 

Dies. 

With 
Reverses. 

R.-irity. 

1 

NOVA  C^S.\REA  • 

Roundefl. 

Straight,         I 

1 

A,  B.  F 

R2 

2 

NOVA  C^:SAKEA 

Straight. 

lnd'?entup>'"— t- 

3 

E,  F 

Rl 

3 

NOVA  C^SAREA 

Straight. 

2 

E.  F 

R4 

4 

NOVA  C^SAREA 

Strai!5ht. 

Curved, 

fi 

CD,  H 

C 

5 

NOVA   C^SAREA 

Rounded. 

Curved,  1 

1 

C,  G 

R4 

6 

NOVA  CJESAREA- 

Straight. 

Curved , 

■Without  coulter. 

2 

C.  G 

■R* 

7 

NOVA  C^SAREA 

Pointed. 

Curved, 

[  Date  under  lieam. 

1 

G 

R6 

8 

•  NOVA  C^SAREA- 

Pointed. 

Curved, 

1 

G 

R6 

1787. 

OBVERSES. 

No. 

Legend  and  Punctuation. 

Handle  Ends. 

Beam. 

Dies. 

With 
Reverses. 

Rarity. 

1 

NOVA  C^SAREA 

Knobs,  heav\'. 

Straight.  ] 
Straight. 

r 

B.  D 

R2 

2 

NOVA  C^SAREA- 

One  l;noli,  light. 

B 

R3 

3 

4 

NOVA  C^SAREA 
NOVA  C^SAREA 

Straiglit. 
Straiglit. 

run'ed*'  ^  ^'^^  '''•''^■'^*  ""''*^''  '^'"^'^• 

14 

C,  D,  E,  F 

A,  B,  C,  D 

R 
C 

5 

NOVA  C^ESAREA  ■ 

Straight. 

Curved. 

E,  F 

R* 

6 

NOVA  C^SAREA- 

Rounded. 

Curved. 

I 

R4 

7 

NOVA  C^SAREA 

Rounded. 

Curved.  1 

G,  I 

R 

8 

NOVA  C^SAREA 

Straight. 

Curved. 

A,  D,  K 

R3 

9 

NOVA  C^SAREA  • 

Li-ht. 

Curved. 

[  Three  leaves  under  head. 

I 

R4 

10 

NOVA  C^SAREA* 

He.avy,  square. 

Curved. 

H 

R6 

11 

NOVA»C^SAREA» 

Heavy,  square. 

Curved.  , 

H 

R5 

1788. 

OBVERSES. 

No. 

Legend  and  Punctuation. 

Facing 

Beam. 

°-.;     ReT^Ses.       «-><y- 

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 

NOVA  *  C.ESAKEA* 
NOVA      C.ESAREA 

*  NOVA  *  C.ESAREA  ♦ 

♦  NOVA  *  C.ESAREA  * 
NOVA      C.ESAREA 

Right. 
Right, 
Right. 
Right. 
Left. 

Straight,  no  coulter  or  .singletree. 

Slightly  curved,  )  ^'"g'^tree. 
Curved,                   Coulter  and  ring. 

1 
1 
2 
2 
3 

B 

E 

A,  B 

C 

D 

R6 

R* 

R4 

R 

R4 

NOTES   ON   THE    TABLES    OF   NEW    .JERSEY   COINS. 

The  notes  which  follow  may  serve  to  elucidate  some  indefinite  points. 

1786. 

No.  1.  The  handle  ends  are  not  only  rounded,  but  enlarged,  though  not 
sufficiently  so  as  to  be  called  with  knobs. 

No.  2,  —  E,  is  rei^resented  on  Plate  YI.  No.  20. 

No.  3.     The  beam  is  straight,  but  bent  up  at  the  end. 

No.  4  — D  is  represented  by  Fig.  41,  4 — H,  on  Plate  VI.  No.  19. 

No.  5.     The  handle  ends  are  but  slightly  rounded.     [Plate  VT.  No.  18.] 

No.  6  closely  resembles  No.  5,  but  differs  in  jjunctuation. 

Nos.  7  and  8.  These  have  the  date  under  the  beam  of  the  plough,  and 
pointed  ends  to  the  handles.  AVe  have  seen  but  one  specimen  of  each,  one 
of  which.  No.  7,  [Plate  VI.  No.  17]  is  owned  by  A.  S.  Jenks,  of  Philadelphia  : 
the  owner  of  the  other.  No.  8,  is   unknown.     All  other  varieties  of  this   year 


NEW   JEESEY. 


285 


178G.     REVERSES. 


No. 

Legend  and  Pmictuation. 

Shield. 

Palea  of 

Sprigs. 

Dies. 

With 
Obverses. 

R.-unty. 

A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
G 
H 

♦  E  »  I'H^RIBUS  ♦  UNUM  * 

♦  E  »   PLUKIBUS  *  UNUM  ♦ 
»  E  .   Pl.UHIBUS  ♦   UNUM  ♦ 

♦  E  ♦  PLURIBUS  »  UNUM  * 

♦  E  *   I'LUKIBUS  ♦   UNUM  * 

♦  E  *   FUUItlBUS   *  UNUM  * 

♦  E  *   FLUKIBUS  *  UNUM  ♦ 

♦  E  *  PLURIBUS  *  UNUM  ♦ 

Narrow. 

Narrow. 

Narrow. 

Narrow. 

Medium. 

Wide. 

Wide. 

Very  wide. 

Four. 

Three. 

Four. 

Four  and  five. 

Three. 

Tliree. 

Five. 

Four. 

Two. 
None. 

None. 
None. 
None. 
None. 
None. 
None. 

1 
1 
3 
1 
4 
1 
3 
3 

1 

1 

4,5,0 

4 

2,3 

1,2,3 

5,  0,  7,  8 

4 

E5 

R2 

R2 

R3 

C 

R3 

R4 

C 

1787 

.     REVERSES. 

No. 

Legend  and  Punctuation. 

Shield. 

Pales  of 

Sprigs. 

Dies. 

With 
Obverses. 

Rarity. 

A 

♦  E  ♦  PLURIBUS  *  UNUM 

* 

Narrow. 

Four. 

None, 

2 

4,8 

R5 

B 

»  E  »  PLURIBUS  *  UNUM 

* 

Medium. 

Three. 

None. 

9 

1,2,4 

C 

C 

*  E  *   PLURIBUS  ♦  UNUM 

♦ 

Medium. 

Four. 

None. 

3 

3.4 

K2 

D 

*  E  *   PLURIBUS  ♦   UNUM 

* 

W'ide. 

Tliree. 

None. 

8 

1,  3,  4,  8 

C 

E 

♦  E  ♦   PLURIBUS  *   UNUM 

* 

Wide. 

Four. 

None. 

2 

3,5 

R4 

F 

*  E  *  PLURIBUS  ♦  UNUM 

* 

Wide. 

Five  and  six. 

None. 

2 

3,5 

R6 

G 

»  E  ♦  PLURIBUS  *  UNUM 

» 

Narrow, 

Four. 

Two. 

1 

7 

R6 

H 

♦  E  ♦  PLURIBUS  ♦  UNUM 

♦ 

Medium. 

Four. 

Two. 

1 

10,  11 

R5 

I 

♦   E  ♦   PLURIBUS  ♦  UNUM 

♦ 

Medium. 

Four. 

Two. 

4 

6,7,9 

R 

K 

*   E  ♦  PLURIBS      ♦  UNUM 

* 

Medium. 

Four. 

Two. 

1 

8 

R3 

1788 

REVERSES. 

No. 

Legend  and  Punctuation. 

Shield. 

Pales  of 

Sprigs. 

Dies. 

With 
Obverses. 

R.arity. 

A 
B 
C 
D 
E 

*  >-r  E  *  PLURIBUS  *  UNUM  * 
X-*  E  <&  PLURIBUS  ♦  UNU.M  ♦ 

♦  E  *   PLURIRUS  ♦  UNUM  * 

♦  E  *   PLURIBUS  ♦  UNUM  * 

♦  E  »   PLURIBUS  «  UNUM  ♦ 

Medium. 

Wide. 

Narrow. 

Medium. 

Wide. 

Four. 
Four. 
Four. 
Four. 
Five  and  six. 

Two. 

Two. 

Two. 

None. 

None. 

1 
1 
1 
2 
1 

3 
1.3 

4 
5 
2 

R4 

R4 

R 

R4 

R4 

have  the  handles  cut  oft'  straight,     lieverse  E   of  1786,   and    B  of  1787,  are 
idintical   in  two  dies,  and  F  of  1786,  with  D  of  1787,  in  one  die. 

17S7. 

]^o.  1.     Both  liandles  of  these  dies  have  heavy  knob.s. 

IS^o.  2.  The  lower  handle  is  short,  the  upper,  long-  with  a  very  light 
knob  :  for  2— B,  see  Plate  VI.  Xo.  21. 

No.  4.  Mo.st  of  these  dies  are  much  alike,  dilfi'i-ing  mainly  in  the  curves 
and  positions  of  the  ])loiigh-handles  and  beams;  the  speeinien  (4 — B)  on 
plate  VI.  No.  23,  diflers  greatly  from  any  other  of  this  number. 

No.  5.  One  of  the  most  coarsely  c'ut  dies  of  the  series.  On  plate  \'il. 
No.  20  is  5  —  E,  and  No.  19,  5  —  F  ;  of  the  last  we  know  but  two  specimens. 

No.  8.  The  (lie  of  this  variety  found  with  I'everse  A,  we  liave  .^ci'ii  on  luit 
one  specimen;  that  with  I>  is  also  (piite  rai-e — Dr.  Maris  lias  one  in  iirass:  the 
two  othci-  dies  are  found  witii  leverse  K,  the  ULURIBS.    [Plate  \'l.  No.  22.] 


286  THE    EARLY    COESTS    OF    AMERICA. 

No.  10.  The  only  die  we  know  of  this  year  punctuated  with  a  quatrefoil, 
(♦)  and  only  one  specimen  known;  this  belongs  to  Dr.  Maris. 

No.  11.  An  extremely  rare  variety  which  we  have  always  found  double- 
struck,  upon  one  specimen  causing  the  R  to  resemble  a  K,  whence  it  has  been 
called  the  "  plukibus  "  variety.     [Plate  YI.  No.  24.] 

Eeverse  C  of  1787,  and  D  of  1788,  are  identical  in  two  dies,  F,  with  E  in 
one  die;  the  other  die  of  F,  is  identical  with  the  reverse  of  the  immunis  of  1786. 

1788. 

No.  1.  We  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Maris  for  this  variety.  It  is  punctuated 
with  a  star  and  a  cpatrefoil,  and  the  plough  has-  neither  coulter  nor  singletree; 
its  reverse  is  the  same  with  that  of  Plate  VI.  No.  25. 

No.  2.  The  horse's  right  ear,  (at  observer's  left,)  touches  the  letter  C:  we 
find  none  without  cracks  over  nova  and  area,  and  across  the  plough  handles, 
and  beam  :  its  rever'se,  E,  is  identical  with  one  die  of  F  of  1787. 

No.  3.  This  is  called  the  "  dog  "  or  "  fox  "  variety,  from  a  small  animal  in 
the  legend  on  the  reverse,  which  on  fine  specimens  is  clearly  seen  to  be  a 
horse.     [Plate  VI.  Nos.  25  and  26.] 

No.  4.  The  beam  is  but  slightly  curved.  In  one  die  the  mane  of  the  horse 
is  long,  hanging  straight  the  length  of  his  neck,  and  the  plough  equidistant 
from  the  stars;  iu  tlic  other,  the  mane  is  not  as  long,  and  the  handles  of  the 
plough  are  much  nearer  to  one  star,  than  the  beam  is  to  the  other. 

No.  5,  comprises  the  heads  facing  left.  That  given  on  Plate  VI.  No.  27,  is 
the  smallest  and  most  rare  of  the  three  :  its  reverse,  D,  is  identical  with  one  die 
of  C,  of  1787  :  a  curious  fact  concerning  this  reverse  is,  that  while  it  is  found 
on  coins  of  1787,  with  a  heavy  break  across  the  shield,  we  have  seen  none  of 
1788,  on  which  that  break  is  visible.     For  another  die  see  Fig.  42. 

For  the  purpose  of  imposing  "rare  varieties"  upon  collectors,  some  unprin- 
cipled person  has  altered  New  Jersey  coins  of  1786  and  1787,  by  engraving,  or 
otherwise  changing  the  facing  of  the  horse's  head,  and  in  one  instance,  the 
plough  also,  from  right  to  left.  No  coin,  having  in  its  oi'iginal  condition  the 
head  to  the  left,  and  the  date  1786,  or  1787,  has  come  to  our  knowledge. 

The  shields  noted  as '  narrow,  measure  less  than  9  ;  medium,  9  to  10  ; 
wide,  10  to  11,  and  very  wide,  more  than  11. 

We  are  indebted  to  John  H.  Hickcox,  Esq.,  of  Albau}',  N.  Y.,  for  a  copy 
of  a  letter  from  F.  B.  Chetwood  of  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  dated  March  19,  1858, 
who  gives  the  following  particulars  :  — 


NEW   JERSEY.  287 

"My  Mother,  the  daughter  of  Col.  Francis  Barljer,  is  now  seventy-six 
years  old,  and  says  that  all  of  her  recollection  on  the  subject  of  your  enquiiy 
is  that  when  she  was  a  child  ten  or  twelve  years  old,  she  used  to  go  into 
the  house  on  the  adjoining  premises  to  her  father's  residence  in  this  place  to 
see  them  make  coppers  —  The  business  was  carried  on  in  a  room  behind  the 
kitchen,  by  Gilbert  Kindle  and  a  person  whose  name  she  tliinks  was  Cox  — 
The  modus  ojMirandi  was  as  follows  —  In  the  middle  of  the  room  was  a  wooden 
box  or  pit  sunk  in  the  floor  several  feet  deep,  in  the  middle  of  which  pit 
was  placed  an  iron  Die,  the  top  of  which  was  about  level  with  the  floor  of 
the  room  —  A  workman  sat  on  the  floor,  with  his  legs  inside  the  pit  —  he 
placed  the  smooth  coppers  on  the  Die  and  when  stamped,  brushed  them  off 
the  Die  into  the  pit  —  The  impression  on  the  copper  was  made  by  a  screw- 
press  which  was  worked  by  two  men,  one  at  each  end  of  an  iron  bar  or 
horizontal  lever,  attached  to  the  screw  at  the  centre  of  its  length,  which  was 
about  nine  or  ten  feet  long. 

"  My  mother  thinks  it  was  in  operation  only  a  year  oi-  two,  but  her 
recollection  on  this  point  is  not  very  reliable. 

"  The  copper  was  brought  to  that  house,  all  finished,  as  she  thinks,  except 
the  stamping  —  She  has  no  recollection  at  all  of  any  other  branch  of  the 
business  being  carried  on  there  —  She  recollects  that  the  copper  when  coined 
was  put  into  kegs  and  sent  oft'  somewhei-e,  and  that  her  mother  used  to 
purchase  a  bureau  drawer  nearly  full  at  a  time,  and  pay  them  out  in  daily 
use  for  household  expenses." 

An  interesting  study  may  be  made  of  the  varieties  of  the  New  Jersey 
coins,  to  some  particulars  of  which  we  will  direct  attention.  A  careful  exami- 
nation of  the  letters  reveals  in  many  ol"  these,  some  peculiai-ities  of  the  punches 
by  which  the  letters  were  impressed  in  the  dies  ;  and  as  the  same  peculiar 
letters  appear  in  several  diflerent  dies,  the  natui-al  inlriiiicr  is  tlial  all  these 
dies  were  made  by  the  same  person. 

The  letter  A  upon  many  of  them  is  broken  near  (he  top.  as  A,  and  wlicn 
not  broken,  often  shows  an  irregularity,  the  broken  line  bring  cut  in.  The 
N  is  iireguiar  on  the  under  side  of  tiie  sloping  line,  as  N;  the  P  is  imperfect 
at  the  left  of  its  foot,  the  ceriph  being  broken  from  that  side,  as  P.  A  geneial 
likeness  may  in  many  dies  be  ti'aced  in  other  letters,  and  also  in  the  figures. 

A  comparison  of  these  coins  shows  that  No.  1  ol'  178()  diilVis  in  work- 
manship  from  any   of   tiic  other  varieties.     Nos.  2,  ;{   and     1.  air    luii   li    alike. 


288  THE    EAliLY    COINS    OF    AJMEEICA. 

Nos.  5,  7  and  8,  (the  last  two  have  the  date  under  the  beam  of  the  plough,) 
resemble  each  other  in  many  points,  and  though  in  some  respects  they  are 
much  like  !N^os.  2,  3  and  4,  yet  in  others  they  differ  Avidely  from  them  ;  some 
of  their  reverses  are  among  the  finest  dies  of  this  State. 

Nos.  1  and  2  of  1787,  and  some  of  ISTos.  3  and  4,  exhibit  a  style  of 
workmanship  much  alike.  No.  5  agrees  closely  with  one  die  of  No.  3,  the 
PLUKiBS,  and  Nos.  2  and  4  of  1788  ;  in  these  the  most  marked  letters  are  the 
N,  (which  in  No.  5  is  inverted)  where  the  sloping  line  joins  the  right  limb 
considerably  above  the  foot,  and  the  U,  which  is  very  broad  :  these  two  letters 
are  sufficient  foi'  the  identification  of  dies  upon  which  they  appear.  No.  11 
is  of  a  style  peculiar  to  itself,  as  also  are  some  dies  of  No.  4  and  8  of  1787, 
and  No.  5  of  1788,  with  the  head  to  the  left. 

The  reverses  are  not  always  of  a  style  to  correspond  with  their  obverses, 
but  often  those  widely  difl'ering  in  their  workmanship  are  combined,  sometimes 
a  coarsely  cut  reverse  appearing  with  a  well  executed  obverse,  and  vice  versa, 
as  in  the  specimen  shown  on  Plate  VII,  No.  19. 

To  extend  this  examination  further,  to  the  comparison  of  ihe  issues  of 
this  State  with  those  of  Vermont  and  Connecticut,  furnishes  an  interesting 
field  for  conjecture  as  to  the  business  connection  possibly  existing  between 
the  pai'ties  conducting  the  several  coinages  ;  for  we  find  the  letters  A  and  N 
precisely  as  before  described,  upon  many  of  the  Vermont  dies,  and  on  some 
of  those  attributed  to  Connecticut.  We  therefore  consider  it  certain  that 
many  of  the  dies  of  New  Jersey  and  Vermont,  and  some  of  the  auctori 
coxNEC,  (as  well  as  some  others  yet  to  be  treated  of,)  wei'e  the  work  of  the 
same  artist  ;  but  whether  the  dies  for  the  different  mints  were  made  at  one 
place,  or  whether  the  artist  followed  an  itinerant  practice,  and  visited  the  mints 
as  occasion  required,  which  probably  would  be  the  more  convenient  method 
of  conducting  his  business  in  the  absence  of  the  regular  means  of  communi- 
cation now  in  use,  must  be  left  to  conjecture. 

The  opinion  has  been  expressed,  (p.  191,)  that  the  dies  xipon  which  was 
a  plough,  cut  by  Atlee,  were  the  Vermont  coins  with  that  device  :  it  seems 
fully  as  probable,  judging  from  the  facts  just  stated,  that,  although  Atlee  may 
have  cut  some  of  those  dies,  (they  do  not  all  appear  to  have  been  the  work 
of  one  artist,)  he  must  have  done  many  of  these  also,  as  they  bear  indisputable 
evidence  of  the  same  handiwork  with  most  of  the  Vermont  coins  of  1787  and 
1788,  and  also  with  that  of  the  georgivs  •  iii  •  rex  • 


NEW    YORK. 


An  attempt  was  made,  as  eai'ly  as  1661,  to  establish  a  mint  in  J^ew 
York,  then  known  as  New  Amsterdam. 

"  The  Burgomasters  and  Scepens  of  'New  Amsterdam,  in  pursuance  of  a 
previous  resohition,  made  appUcation  on  the  twelfth  day  of  October,  1661,  to 
the  Chamber  of  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  at  Amsterdam  in 
Holland  foi-  authority  to  establish  a  mint  in  the  colony  for  the  coinage  of 
silver.     This  application,  however,  did  not  meet  with  success."  ^ 

In  1672  an  order  was  passed  regulating  the  currency  of  silver  coin  in 
this  State,  regai-ding  which  we  have  the  following  memoranda  :  — 

"  Oi-ders  made  and  confirmed  at  y"  Gene''"  Couit  of  Assizes  held  in  New 
York,  beginning  on  y*"  2''  and  ending  on  y''  7""  day  of  October  in  y*  three 
and  twentieth  year  of  his  Ma"^"  Reigne  Annoq  Dom.  1672.  ***** 

"  12.  Whereas,  it  is  thought  expedient  that  a  certaine  regulacon  should 
be  made  upon  y*"  sylver  Coyne  which  passeth  to  and  fro  in  this  Governm'  by 
y^  certainty  of  its  value,  It  is  Ordered  That  a  Boston  Shilling  shall  pass  for 
one  shilling,  and  a  good  piece  of  Eight  Spanish  Coine,  whether  of  Mexico 
Sevill  or  a  pillar  piece  shall  be  valued  and  go  for  six  shillings  in  any  payment 
eitlu'i-  lor  debt  and  demands  or  j)urchasing  goods  or  merchandize  between 
man   and   man."  '^ 

The  Massachusetts  and  Neyv  Hampshire  Advertiser,  of  March  29,  1786, 
contains  (his  announcement:^  —  "ISTew  York  Connecticnl  and  Yermont  liave 
authorized  a  })ei'son  in  each  of  those  states  to  coin  coppers  ;  numbers  of  them 
are   now   in   circulalit)n  ;  they   are   in  general   well   made,  and  of  good  copper, 

'  CliMiU-s  I.  P.iislincll.  2  >;,.„.  v,,,.].  i;,.,.,)i(]s  ;    ('.  I.   H.  a  >i:,ttlu'\v  A.  Sticknev. 


290  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMEKICA. 

those  of  New  York  in  particular.  Was  a  person  authorized  in  this  State  for 
the  same  purpose,  it  would  undoubtingly  prevent  the  manufacture  of  those 
made  of  base  metal." 

What  the  JS^cav  York  coins  were,  to  which  the  writer  of  the  above  para- 
graph refers,  we  ai'e  at  a  loss  to  determine,  unless  to  the  non  virtute  vici, 
(1786,)  which  may  have  made  their  appearance  early  in  that  year,  and  bearing 
the  legend,  neo-eboracencis,  were  taken  to  be  coins  authorized  by  the 
State,  and  thus  considered  as  sufficient  to  warrant  that  statement. 

It  appears  certain,  however,  that  New  York  had  not  at  that  time  author- 
ized a  coinage,  and  we  have  no  proof  that  she  did  so  subsequently  ;  indeed, 
Avhatever  proof  we  have,  is  of  a  character  to  indicate  that  no  such  action  was 
ever  taken  by  that  State. 

We  learn  from  Mr.  Bushnell  that  petitions  were  presented  Feb.  11th, 
1787,  by  John  Bailey,  and  Ephraim  Brasher,  for  the  privilege  of  coining 
coppers,  which  were  followed,  March  3d,  1787,  by  another  to  the  same  effect 
from  Thomas  Machin.  These  petitions  cannot  now  be  found  and  their  terms 
are  unknown  to  us,  but  the  action  of  the  authorities  thereupon  is  thus  re- 
corded in  the  Journal  of  the  Assembly  :  — 

Feb.  12,  1787,  "  The  several  petitions  of  John  Bailey  and  Ephraim 
Brasher,  relative  to  the  Coinage  of  Copper  within  this  State,  were  read,  and 
referred  to  Mr.  Brooks,  Mr.  Galatian,  and  Mr.  Duboys." 

March  3,  1787,  "  A  Petition  of  Thomas  Machin,  relative  to  the  Coinage 
of  Copper  in  this  State,  was  read,  and  referred  to  Mr.  Brooks,  Mr.  Duboys, 
Mr.  Doughty,  Mr.  E.  Clark,  and  Mr.  Taylor." 

We  find  no  report  referring  particularly  to  these  petitions;  but  under 
date  of  March  5th,  1787,  is  this  statement  of  the  action  of  the  committee  : — 

"  Mr.  Brooks  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  bring  in  a  bill  to  regulate 
the  circulation  of  Copper  Coin  within  this  State,  brought  in  the  report  of  the 
said  Committee,  which  he  read  in  his  place,  and  delivered  in  at  the  table, 
where  the  same  was  again  read  and  is  in  the  words  following,  viz. 

"  The  Committee  who  were  directed  to  bring  in  a  bill  to  regulate  the 
Copper  Coin  in  this  State,  being  at  a  loss  to  determine  the  extent  of  the 
intended  regulation,  whether  it  was  only  to  ascertain  the  value  of  the  pieces 
now  in  circulation,  or  was  meant  to  extend  to  a  new  coinage,  do  present  to 
the  House  the  result  of  their  enquiries  on  this  subject. 

"  They  find  that  there  are  various  sorts  of  copper  coin  circulating  in  this 
State,  the  principal  whereof  are. 


NEW   YORK.  291 

"First.  A  few  genuine  British  half-pence  of  George  the  Second,  and 
some  of  an  earlier  date,  the  impressions  of  which  are  generally  defaced. 

"  Secondly.  A  number  of  Irish  half-pence,  with  a  bust  on  the  one  side, 
and  a  harp  on  the  other. 

"Thirdly.  A  very  great  number  of  pieces  in  imitation  of  British  half- 
pence, but  much  lighter,  of  inferior  copper,  and  badly  executed. — These  are 
generally  called  by  the  name  of  Birmingham  Coppers,  as  it  is  pretty  wa^ll 
known  that  they  are  made  there,  and  imported  in  casks,  under  the  name  of 
Hard  Ware,'  or  wrought  copper. 

"  Fourthly.  There  has  lately  been  introduced  into  circulation,  a  very 
considerable  number  of  coppers  of  the  kind  that  are  made  in  the  State  of 
New-Jersey.  Many  of  these  are  below  the  proper  weight  of  the  Jersey 
coppers,  and  seem  as  if  designed  as  a  catch-penny  for  this  market. 

"  The  following  calculations  will  tend  to  shew  the  difference  between  the 
real  and  nominal  value  of  the  several  kinds  of  coppers  that  are  circulating 
among  us. 

"  The  very  best  red  copper  in  sheets  may  be  bought  by  the  quantity  at 
the  factories  in  England,  for  lid.  sterling  per  pound.  —  The  exiDcnce  of 
importation  will  be  from  20  to  25  per  cent.  —  This  will  bring  the  price  to 
about  two  shillings  New  York  currency  per  pound.  —  But  cojjper  in  the  mass, 
or  old  copper  which  may  be  melted  down  into  ingots,  and  manufactured  in 
the  plating  mills,  so  as  to  be  fit  for  cutting  into  blanks,  as  the  coppers  are 
called  before  they  are  milled,  will  not  cost  the  purchaser  more  than  'lOd.  per 
pound. 

^^  Fortij-eiyld  of  the  genuine  British  half-pence,  when  new,  weigh  one 
pound  Averdupois.  Of  the  Birmingham  Cojjpei-s  that  circulate  among  us, 
sixty  make  one  pound  Averdupois.  —  The  genuine  Jersey  coppers,  weigh  each 
s^a;  pennyweight,  sza;  grains,  which  ^'ives  forty-six  and  two  fifths  to  the  pound 
Averdupois. 

"  These  all  pass  by  consent  without  discrimination,  at  fourteen  to  the 
shilling. — Hence  the  following  ('()ini)arative  values  : 

'  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  name  "Hard  Ware"  is  here  definitely  ajiplied  to  co|>i)er 
cdiii  ;  liere  is  a  partial  ooiilirniation  of  tlie  opinion  expressed  in  regard  to  the  nse  of  tlie  same 
term,  (p.  1H2,)  in  the  articles  of  agreemt'nl  hclween  Heuhen  Harmon,  Thomas  MaehiTi  and 
others.  Among  tlie  coppers  here  referreil  to,  were  probably  many  of  those  evidently  counterfeit 
half-pence  of  George  III.  bearing  date  from  1772,  (perha])s  earlier)  to  17H7,  of  which  1  find 
ten    \arictics   in    inv   own   ciillrrtion,   willi"Ul    pait  ii'uhu'  ctTnrl    tn   procure   siu-li    pici'cs. 


292  THE   EARLY    COIKS    OF    AJrEEICA. 

"  A  pound  of  Copper,  may,  as  before  stated,  be  reckoned  at  .         .        £  0  1  8 
A  pound  of  genuine  British  half-pence  passes  with  us  for      .         .  0  3  5 

The  difference  is,       .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  0  19 

Which  is  a  little  more  than  fifty-one  per  cent  loss. 

"A  pound  of  Birmingham  coppers  passes  with  us  for       .         .         .  0  4  3 

The  difference  is        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .        £  0  2  7 

Which  produces  a  loss  of  near  sixty-one  per  cent. 

"  A  pound  of  Jersey  coppers  passes  with  us  for  nearly     .         .         .  0  3  4 

The  difference  is 0  18 

Which  is  exactly  ffty  per  cent  lo.ss. 

"If  the  expence  of  Coinage  be  deducted  from  the  losses  respectively,  as 
before  stated,  the  difterence  will  shew  the  neat  loss  the  State  sustains  by  the 
influx  of  the  several  copper  coins  that  are  current  among  us. 

"What  the  real  expence  of  Coinage  may  be,  the  Committee  have  not 
been  able  to  ascertain  with  any  degree  of  accnracy,  as  the  persons  who 
could  give  the  best  information  on  that  subject,  find  it  their  interest  to  keep 
the  secret  to  themselves.  It  may  be  presumed,  however,  that  the  expence  of 
Coinage  on  a  considerable  sum,  would  not  amount  to  more  than  25  or  at  the 
most  30  per  cent.  Taking  it  at  the  highest  estimation,  the  neat  loss  on 
the  three  several  kinds  of  coppers  specified  in  this  statement,  would  be  as 
follows  : 

"  On  the  British  half-pence 36  per  cent. 

On  the  Birmingham  half-pence 49  per  cent. 

On  the  Jersey  Coppers 35  per  cent. 

"The  profits  that  will  arise  to  the  Coiners  on  the  aforegoing  principles, 
will  be  as  follows  : 

"On  the  British  half-pence .         .         57  per  cent. 

On  the  Birmingham  ditto 96  per  cent. 

On  the  Jersey  coppers 54  per  cent. 

"From  this  statement  it  appears,  that  there  are  very  great  profits  arising 
from  this  traflic,  even  if  we  admit,  that  the  price  of  copper,  and  expence  of 
coinage,  should  be  considerably  higher  than  the  Committee  have  stated  them." 

"  Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  said  report  be  post- 
poned." 

We  next  give  the  action  of  the  Assembly  and  Senate,  as  recorded  in 
their  respective  journals,  only  that  of  April  18th  being  from  that  of  tlie  Senate. 


NEW   YORK.  293 

March  15,  1787.  "  The  House  resolved  into  a  Committed  of  the  whole 
House,  on  the  report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  bring  in  a  bill  to  regu- 
late the  circulation  of  Copper  Coin  in  this  State  ;  the  said  report  which  ia 
entered  on  the  Journals  of  this  House,  on  the  third  day  of  March  instant, 
was  read  and  considered  ;  and  after  some  time  spent  thereon  Mr.  Speaker 
reassumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Patterson  from  the  said  Committee  reported,  that 
he  was  directed  by  the  said  Committee  to  report  to  the  House,  that  the  Com- 
mittee had  agreed  to  a  resolution  in  the  words  following,  viz. 

^^  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  a  Committee  be 
appointed  to  prepare  and  bring  in  a  bill  to  establish  a  Coinage  of  Copper  in 
this  State,  and  to  regulate  the  value  of  the  Copper  Coin  now  in  circulation. 

"Mr.  Patterson  i-ead  the  said  report  in  his  place,  and  delivered  the  same 
in  at  the  table,  where  it  was  again  read,  and  agreed  to  by  the  House. 
Thereupon. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  and  bring  in  a 
bill  to  establish  a  Coinage  of  Copper  in  this  State,  and  to  regulate  the  value 
of  the  Copper  Coin  now  in  circulation  ;  and 

"  Ordered,  Tliat  Mr.  Hamilton,  Mr.  Brooks,  and  Mr.  Lansing  be  a  Com- 
mittee for  that  purpose." 

April  7,  1787.  "  Mr.  Brooks  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  j)rcpare 
and  bring  in  a  bill  to  regulate  the  coj^per  coin,  according  to  order,  brought 
in  the  said  bill  entitled  An  act  for  regulating  the  value  of  copper  coin  within 
this  State,  which  was  read  the  first  time  and  ordered  a  second  reading." 

April  9,  1787.  "Mr.  J.  Smith,  from  the  Committee  of  the  whole  House, 
on  the  bill  entitled  An  act  for  regulating  the  value  of  copper  coin  in  this 
State,  reported  that  the  Committee  had  made  some  progress  therein,  and  had 
directed  him  to  move  for  leave  to  sit  again. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  have  leave  to  sit  again." 

Api-il  12,  1787.  "Mr.  -lolin  Smith,  from  \\\v  Committee  ol'  tlie  whole 
House,  on  the  l/ill  entitled  An  act  for  regulating  the  value  of  copper  coin  in 
this  State,  reported  that  the  Committee  had  gone  through  the  bill,  made 
amendments,  and  altered  the  title  ;  that  the  altered  title  is,  An  act  to  regulate 
the  circulation  of  copper  coin  in  this  State,  which  he  was  directed  to  report 
to  the  House  ;  and  he  read  the  report  in  his  place,  and  delivered  the  bill  and 
amendments  in  at  the  table,  where  the  same  were  again  read,  and  agreed  to 
by  the  House. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  I)ill  and  amendments  be  engrossed." 


294  THE   EAKLT   COrNTS   OF    AMERICA. 

April  13,  "1787.  "  The  engrossed  bill  entitled  An  act  to  regulat'i  the 
circulation  of  coip-per  coin,  was  read  a  third  time. 

''Resolved,  That  the  bill  do  pass." 

Senate  Journal,  April  18,  1787.  "  Mr.  Peter  Schuyler,  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole,  on  the  bill  entitled  An  act  to  regulate  the  circulation  of 
Copx>er  Coin  in  this  State,  reported  that  they  had  gone  through  the  bill 
Avithout  amendment,  which  report  he  read  in  his  place,  and  delivei'ed  the  bill 
in  at  the  table,  where  it  was  again  read  and  agreed  to  by  the  Senate  : 
Thereu])on, 

''Resolved,  That  the  bill  do  pass. 

"  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Parks  deliver  the  bill  to  the  Honorable  the  Assembly, 
and  inform  them  that  the  Senate  have  passed  the  bill  without  amendment." 

In  the  Assembly,  April  20,  1787.  "  A  Message  from  the  Honorable  the 
Council  of  Revision  was  delivei'ed  by  the  Honoi-able  Mr.  Justice  Hobart,  '  That 
it  does  not  appear  improper  to  the  Council  that  the  bill  entitled  An  act  to 
regulate  the  circulation  of  cojijyer  coin  in  this  State  should  become  a  law  of 
this  State.'" 

Chapter  XCVII. 

"An  Act  to  regulate  the  Circulation  of  copper  coin.  Passed  April  20, 
1787. 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Xew  York,  represented  in 
Senate  and  Assembly,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  Same, 
that  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  August  next,  no  coppers  shall  pass  cur- 
rent in  this  State,  except  such  as  are  of  the  Standard  and  weight  of  one  third 
part  of  an  Ounce  avei'dnpois,  of  j^ure  copper,  which  coppers  shall  pass  current 
at  the  rate  of  twenty  to  a  Shilling  of  the  lawful  current  Money  of  this  State 
and  not  otherwise. 

"  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  if  any  person 
or  persons,  shall  after  the  said  first  day  of  August  next,  ofler  in  payment 
any  copper  coin,  other  than  of  the  Standard  and  weight  aforesaid,  such  copjjer 
coin  shall  be  liable  to  be  seized,  and  shall  be  forfeited  to  the  use  of  the 
person  or  persons  who  shall  seize  the  same.  And  it  shall  be  lawful  for  any 
person  or  persons,  to  whom  such  *  *  *  *  ofler  of  payment  shall  be,  to  seize 
and  take  such  copper  coin  ;  and  the  person  or  persons  making  such  Seizure, 
shall  forthwith  give  information  thereof,  and  shall  deliver  the  Coppers  so 
seized   to    some  Justice  of  the  peace  of   the   City  or  County  in  which   such 


^SK^v  YORK.  295 

seizure  shall  have  been  made  ;  and  the  said  coppers  shall  remain  in  the 
Custody  of  such  Justice  of  the  peace,  for  the  space  of  ten  days  ;  and  if  not 
claimed  within  that  time,  shall  be  adjudged  to  be  forfeited,  and  shall  be 
returned  to  the  person  or  persons  who  delivered  the  same  to  such  Justice 
of  the  peace,  and  the  person  or  persons  seizing  such  coppei's  shall  on  the 
request  of  the  person  or  persons  offering  the  same  in  payment,  give  informa- 
tion of  the  ISTame  of  the  Justice  to  whom  they  shall  have  been  delivered. 
And  in  case  the  said  Coppers  should  be  Claimed,  and  the  legality  of  the 
seizure  Controverted,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  such  Justice  to  hear  and  deter- 
mine the  Same,  in  a  summary  manner  ;  provided  the  sum  for  which  such 
coppers  shall  have  been  offered  in  payment,  do  not  exceed  the  sum  of  forty 
shillings  ;  but  if  the  same  shall  exceed  the  Sum  of  forty  Shillings,  then  the 
said  Justice  of  the  Peace,  if  either  of  the  parties  require  it,  shall  take  to  his 
assistance  two  able  and  sufficient  freeholders,  who,  under  Oath,  shall  with  said 
Justice  summarily  hear  and  determine  the  said  claim  and  controversy,  and 
their  Judgment  in  the  case  shall  be  final  between  the  parties.  And  the  said 
Justice  shall,  after  such  determination,  deliver  the  coppers  deposited  with 
him,  to  such  of  the  said  parties  as  shall  be  adjudged  to  be  intitled  to  the 
same,  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  act. 

"Provided  that  nothing  in  this  act  contained,  shall  be  construed  to  extend 
to  any  copper  coin  to  be  struck  by  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress 
assembled. 

"  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authoi'ity  aforesaid,  that  if  any  person 
or  persons  shall  pass  or  offer  to  pass  in  payment,  any  coppers  of  base  metal, 
or  of  a  standard  or  weight  different  from  that  which  is  hereby  permitted  to 
pass,  knoAving  the  same  to  be  of  such  Base  metal,  or  of  such  different 
standai'd  or  weight,  such  jierson  or  persons  shall  forfeit  five  times  the  Value 
of  the  Sum  for  which  such  coi)pers  shall  be  so  offered  or  passed  in  payment, 
to  be  recovered  with  costs  of  suit,  before  any  Justice  of  the  peace,  by  any 
person  that  will  sue  for  the  same  ;  which  Justice  is  hereby  fully  empowered 
and  required  suuunarily,  to  hear  and  determine  the  same,  and  to  award  execu- 
tion thereupon,  if  the  said  forfeiture  shall  not  amount  to  more  than  six  pounds 
current  money  of  this  State  ;  but  if  such  forfeiture  shall  amount  to  more 
than  that  sum,  then  to  be  recovered  with  costs  of  suit,  in  any  court  of  record 
within  this  State,  by  action  of  debt,  bill  or  information,  in  either  case,  to  the 
use  of  the  person  or  persons  who  will  sue  for  the  same." 

On  the  7th  of  February,  1788,  it  was  enacted,  "That  if  any  Person  shall 


296  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

counterfeit,  or  cause  or  procure  to  be  counterfeited,  or  act  or  assist  in  coun- 
terfeiting, any  of  the  Species  of  Gold  or  Silver  Coins,  now  current  or  here- 
after to  be  current  in  this  State,  or  shall  pass  or  give  in  Payment,  or  offer 
to  pass  or  give  in  Payment,  any  such  Counterfeit,  knowing  the  same  to  be 
counterfeit  ;  then  every  such  Person,  being  thereof  convicted,  accoi'ding  to 
the  due  Course  of  Law,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  Felony,  and  shall  sutler 
Death  as  a  Felon." 

From  the  foregoing,  it  appears  certain  that,  although  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  bring  in  a  bill  to  establish  a  coinage  of  cojiper  in  this  State,  yet 
no  such  bill  was  presented,  neither  was  a  coinage  authorized. 

Most  of  the  specimens  in  our  cabinets  known  as  New  York  coppers,  are 
of  English  origin,  and  entitled  to  that  name,  if  at  all,  only  from  the  fact  that 
they  bear  devices  or  legends  apparently  indicating  that  they  were  struck  for 
circulation  in  that  State,  but  under  no  authority,  other  than  that  of  an  act 
which  countenanced  all  copper  coins  of  a  specified  quality  and  weight,  irre- 
spective of  their  legends,  devices,  or  origin;  while  others  we  think  might  be 
more  properly  classed  under  the  head  of  Patterns.  All  these  will  be  con- 
sidered on  later  pages. 

Samuel  Davis  in  a  "Journal  of  a  Tour  to  Connecticut,"  in  1789,  printed 
in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  Collections,  April,  1869,  refers  to 
the  copper  coinage  of  the  States.  Of  New  Haven  he  says,  "We  find  some 
difficulty  in  making  change  in  this  place.  Coppers  pass  at  six  the  penny. 
Even  those  graced  with  the  legend  '  Auctori  Conn.'  are  included.  Feel 
chagrined  that  old  Massachusetts,  with  his  bow  and  arrow,  should  be  under- 
valued. New  York  regulates  their  trade.  The  crown  passes  there,  and  here 
now,  at  6s.  9d." 


THE    FUGIOS 


These  wei-e  the  earliest  coins  issued  by  the  authority  of  the  United 
States.  The  records  relating  to  them  are  very  meagre,  and  the  papers 
therein  referred  to  cannot  now  be  found.  The  ensuing  copies  of  the  entries 
in  the  Journal  of  Congress  contain  all  the  information  that  can  now  be  pro- 
cured regai'ding  the  proceedings  of  the  authorities  in  relation  to  this  coinage  : 
these  we  copy  according  to  their  dates. 

"Saturday,  April  21,  1787  ^  ****  The  Committee,  consisting  of  Mr. 
Johnson,  Mr.  King,  Mi-.  Pierce,  Mr.  Clark,  and  Mr.  Pettit,  to  whom  was 
referred  a  i-eport  of  the  Boai-d  of  Treasury  on  certain  projjosals  for  coining 
copper  have  i-eported, 

"That  the  board  of  treasury  be  authorized  to  contract  for  three  hun- 
dred tons  of  copjjer  coin  of  the  federal  standard,  agreeably  to  the  proposition 
of  Mr.  James  Jarvis,  jjrovided  that  the  premium  to  be  allowed  to  the  United 
States  on  the  amount  of  copper  coin  contracted  for  be  not  less  than  fifteen 
per  cent.  That  it  be  coined  at  the  expense  of  the  contractor,  but  under 
the  inspection  of  an  officer  appointed  and  paid  by  the  United  States  ;  that 
the  obligations  to  be  given  for  the  payment  of  the  copper  coin  to  be  deliv- 
ered under  such  conti-act  be  redeemable  within  years  after  the  date 
thereof,  with  an  option  of  discharging  the  same  at  an  earlier  period  ;  that 
they  bear  an  interest  not  exceeding  six  per  cent  per  annum,  and  that  the 
i:)rincipal  and  interest  accruing  thereon  be  payable  within  the  United  States  ; 
that  the  wliole  of  the  monies  arising  from  the  said  contract  shall  be  sacredly 
appropiiatcd   and   apj)lic(l  to  the  reduction  of  the  domestic  del)t. 

"A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Madison,  seconded  by  Mr.  Few,  to  strike 
out   the  last  clause,  and   on   the  (fuestion,  shall   the  last  clause  stand,  vi/  tliat 


298  THE    EARLY    COINS   OF    AMERICA. 

the  whole   of  the  monies  &c,  the  yeas   &  nays  being  reqnired  b}^  ^Slr.  Pettit, 
the  question  was  lost,  and  the  clause  was  etruclc  out." 

After  the  clause  was  stricken  out,  the  original  article  was  amended  by 
inserting  in  the  blank  the  word  "twenty,"  and  instead  of  the  rejected  clause, 
the  following  was  inserted  ; 

"  That  the  whole  of  the  aforesaid  loan  shall  be  sacredly  a])propriated  and 
applied  to  the  reduction  of  the  domestic  debt  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
premium  thereon  towards  the  payment  of  the  interest  on  the  foreign  debt." 

In  this  form  it  was  passed,  and  is  so  entered  in  the  printed  Journal  of 
Congress. 

The  subsequent  action  relating  to  this  coinage  follows  : 

"  Tuesday,  May  8,  1787.     On  motion  of  Mr.  King 

"  Hesolved,  That  the  board  of  treasury  be  and  hereby  are  authoi-ized  to 
dispose  of  the  public  copper  on  hand,  either  by  sale  or  contract  for  the 
coinage  of  the  same,  as  they  shall  judge  most  for  the  interests  of  the  United 
States." 

"Frida}^  July  6,  1787  *****  On  the  report  of  a  committee,  consisting 
of  Mr.  Piei'ce,  Mr.  Kean,  and  Mr.  Holten,  to  whom  was  referred  a  letter  of 
the  11th  May  from  the  board  of  ti'easury  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  board  of  treasury  direct  the  contractor  for  the 
copper  coinage  to  stamp  on  one  side  of  each  piece  the  following  device,  viz  : 
thirteen  circles  linked  together,  a  small  circle  in  the  middle,  with  the  words 
'  United  States,'  round  it  ;  and  in  the  centre,  the  words  '  We  are  one  ; '  on 
the  other  side  of  the  same  piece  the  following  device,  viz  ;  a  dial  with  the 
hours  expressed  on  the  face  of  it  ;  a  meridian  sun  above,  on  one  side  of 
which  is  to  be  the  Avord  ^  Fugio,'  and  on  the  other  the  year  in  figures  '  1787 ' 
below  the  dial,  the  words  '  Mind  your  Business.'  " 

September  30,  1788.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Clai-k,  Mr.  Dane, 
Mr.  Carrington,  Mr.  Bingham,  and  Mr.  Williamson,  having  been  appointed  to 
inquii-e  into  the  department  of  finance,  they  reported,  Sept.  30,  1788.  Their 
report  uj^on  this  subject  was  as  follows  :  — 

"  There  are  two  contracts  made  by  the  board  of  treasury  with  James 
Jaiwis,  the  one  for  coining  three  hundred  tons  of  copper  of  the  federal 
standard,  to  be  loaned  to  the  United  States,  together  with  an  additional  quan- 
tity of  fortj'-five  tons,  which  he  was  to  pay  as  a  premium  to  the  United 
States  for  the  privilege  of  coining  ;  no  part  of  the  contract  hath- been  ful tilled. 
A  particular  statement  of  this  business,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  three  hundred 


PLATE   VII. 


HEI KilM'K  I'AIKNI 


THE   FUGIOS. 


299 


tons,  luis  lately  Ijuun  i-opuited  to  CoiigTcss.  It  does  not  appear  to  your 
committee  that  the  board  wei-e  authorized  to  contract  for  the  privileg-e  of 
coining-  forty-five  tons^  as  a  premium,  exclusive  of  the  three  hundred  men- 
tioned in  the  act  of  Congress. 

"The  other  contract  with  said  Jarvis  is  foi-  the  sale  of  a  quantity  of 
copper,  amoimting,  as  pei-  account,  to  71,174  pounds  ;  this  the  said  Jarvis 
has  leceived  at  the  stipulated  price  of  eleven  pence  farthing,  sterling,  per 
pound,  which  he  contracted  to  pay  in  copper  coin,  of  the  federal  standard,  on 
or  before  iIk  last  day  of  August  1788,  now  past  ;  of  which  but  a  small  part 
has  Ijeen  received.  The  remainder  it  is  presumed,  the  board  of  treasury  will 
take  eflectual  measures  to  recover  as  soon  as  possible." 

The  last  sentence  of  the  foregoing  report  leads  us  to  expect  some 
further  mention  of  the  subject  in  the  records  :  no  such  mention  is  to  be 
found,  and  we  are  left  in  ignorance  as  to  the  quantity  of  coin  struck,  and  the 
date  and  manner  of  settlement  with  the  contractor.  If,  however,  we  may 
judge  from  the  number  of  dies,  and  the  plentiful  suppl}^  of  specimens  still 
found,  a  large  ([uantity  must  have  been  issued,  and  it  may  be  that  the  whole 
of  the  contracts   were  fulfilled. 

The  design  of  the  coins  is  as  ordered  in  the  resolve  of  July  sixth  : 


(lUVERSE. 

Device,  —  Thirlt'cu   rings  linked   i-egularly,   forming  an  endless  chain. 
Legend,  —  united  •  states*  on  a  small  circular  laljel  around  the  centre. 
Centre,  —  we  ajie  one 


KKVKRSE. 

Device,  —  A  sun-dial,  ilie  sun  shining  upon  it   i'rom  above. 

Legend,  — •  laiiio.  •     o  1787  • 

In  exergue, —  mind  youk  business 

Borders,  —  Milled.      P](lge,  —  Plain. 

Size,  —  17.2   {(>   IS.      W'lMght, —  IliO  to  178  grains. 

[I'liilr    \II.       \,,s.    -t,    .'•)   ,111.1    C,    :iihI    Im-s.    4;i    ;ill(l    44.) 


300 


THE   EARLY    COESrS    OF    AlVIERICA. 


We  find  impressions  from  no  less  than  twenty-seven  obverse,  and  twenty- 
four  reverse  dies,  which  diftei-,  in  most  instances,  very  slightly.  The  most 
jjrominent  points  of  variation  in  the  obverses  are  to  be  found  in  the  order  of 
the  words  itsited  states,  which  are  often  transjiosed  to  states  united.  In 
one  die,  from  Avhich  we  know  of  but  three  impressions,  uxited  is  above,  and 
STATES  below,  (see  plate  VII,  No.  4,)  and  in  another,  (plate  VII,  No.  5,) 
these  words  ai-e  separated  by  two  stars  of  eight.  The  words  we  are  one 
also  vary  considerably  in  position,  and  in  the  spacing  of  the  letters. 

The  principal  difierences  of  the  reverses  are  in  the  ditt'erent  punctuations 
of  the  legend  seen  in  Nos.  3  and  4,  of  plate  VII,  in  the  punctuation  of  the 
motto,  MIND  YOUR  BUSINESS,  (which  on  some  specimens  has  five  diamond- 
shaped  dashes,  on  others,  four,  and  on  others,  none,  while  one  die,  (plate  VII, 
No.  3,)  has  two  light  dashes,  and  a  point  ;)  and  in  the  sun's  rays,  which  in 
some  dies,  (see  plate  VII,  No.  6,)  are  veiy  heavy,  and  ai-e  known  as  "  club 
rays."  Fig.  43,  shows  the  rings  struck  through  from  the  obverse  :  this  is  often 
seen,  and  on  some,  the  impression  of  the  reverse  is  visible  on  the  obverse. 

There  are,  besides  the  regular  issue  of  these  coins,  other  pieces  of  the  same 
general  character,  supposed  to  be  pattei'us,  which  will  next  be  described. 


OBVERSE,   NO.  1. 

Device,  —  Thirteen  rings  linked  alternately,  a  mullet  within  each. 
Legend,  —  u^nited  *  states  ♦      The    label    bearing   this    legend    is    on    a 
large,  open  stai-,  of  thirteen  triangular  points. 
Centre,  —  wf.  are  one 

OBVEKSE  NO.  2. 

Device, —  Thirteen  rings  linked  regularly,  each  bearing  the  name  of  a  State. 

Legend,  —  ajvierican  •  congress-  on  a  small  circular  label. 

Centre,  —  An  eye. 

A  glory  fills  the  space  between  the  legend  and  the  thirteen  rings.  [Fig. 45]. 

OBVERSE   XO.  3. 

This  is  apparently  the  same  die  with  the  last,  but  without  the  eye  in  the 
centre.     We  can  learn  of  but  two  impressions  of  each  of  these  obverses:  those 


THE    FUGIOS.  301 

of  1  and  2,  one  each  in  silver  and  coppci',  are  owned  In  Mr.  liuslniell,  liio.se  of 
3,  both  in  copper,  by  Mr.  Appleton,  and  Mr.  Brevoort. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  2,  an.l  Fig.  40.] 
OBVERSE  NO.  4. 

We  are  informed  by  Mr.  Bushnell  that  a  variety  exists  with  reverse  similar 
to  that  last  described,  but  diflering  in  the  obverse,  the  raj'S  of  the  glory 
extending  into  the  thirteen   rings:  this  obverse  is  i-epresented  by  Fig.  47. 

Obverses  1,  2.  3,  and  4,  are  found  with  reverse  A. 

KEVEHSE   A. 

Device,  —  A  sun-dial,  the  sun  shining  upon  it  from  above. 
Field,  —  Plain. 

REVERSE  B. 

Device,  —  A  sun-dial,  the  sun  shining  ujjou  it  from  above. 

Legend,  —  »  ruGio.  •  »  1787  » 

In  exergue,  —    «mixd«your-  business 

OBVERSE    NO.  5. 

Device,  —  Thiiteen  rings  linked  alternately,  a  mullet  within  each:  within 
the  chain  of  rings,  a  large  star  of  thirteen  points,  with  an  open  centre. 

We  have  seen  reverse  B,  combined  with  obverse  No.  1,  only  in  the  cabinet 
of  Mr.  Bushnell,  who  has  a  specimen  in  silver,  and  one  in  brass:  with  obverse 
No.  5,  only  in  silver,  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Brevoort.     [Plate  VII.  No.  1.] 

OBVERSE  NO.  0. 

Device,  —  Thirteen  rings  linked  regulai-ly,  each  bearing  the  name  of  a  State. 

Legend,  —  ajviericajst  •  congkess  •     on  a  small  circular  label. 

Centre,  —  we  a  he  one 

A  glory  fills  the  space  between  the  legend  and  the  thirteen  rings. 

REVERSE   V. 

Device,  —  A  sun-dial,  the  sun  shining  upon  it  fi'om  above. 

Legend,  —  fugio  .         1787  * 

In  exergue, —    mind_youi{_  business. 

jl'hitc  \-II.  No.  :i.| 

Reverse  C  is  i'ound  witli  uhvei'se  No.  (5  upon  three  specimens  in  (•(i])per, 
two  of  which  ai-e  owned  by  Mr.  Bi-evoort,  the  other  by  Mr.  Bushnell  :  it  is 
also  found,  both  with  the  united •  states •,  and  states  •unitkd»  obverses, 
upon  coins  taken  from  circulation.     All  these  pieces  are  of  the  usual  size. 


302  THE    EAKLT    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

Upon  the  coins  found  in  cii'culation,  with  perhaps  one  exception,  the 
rings  on  the  obverse  are  laid  as  seen  in  Nos.  2  to  6,  of  plate  Til.,  which  is 
the  order  we  have  termed  "  regular  ; "  in  those  we  have  described  as  linked 
"  alternately,"  they  are  arranged  as  in  No.  1,  of  the  plate.  The  re-strikes  fre- 
quently seen,  are  of  the  latter  style,  and  are  from  dies  found  in  a  store  at 
Xew  Haven,  Connecticut,  formerly  occujjied  by  Messrs.  Bi'oome  and  Piatt. 

These  coins  ha-se  been  known  by  vai'ious  names,  as  "  Franklin,"  " Sun 
Dial,"  "Ring,"  and  "Mind  your  business"  cents,  as  well  as  by  the  name  at  the 
head  of  this  chapter.  Another  name  is  proposed  for  them  liy  Mr.  Bushnell, 
in*  the  annexed  paragraph  : 

"  This  coin  was  issued  by  authority  of  Congress  in  1787.  It  is  generally 
known  as  the  Franklin  Cent,  but  should  properly  be  called  the  Kittenhouse 
Cent,  if  named  after  any  individual.'  ^  *  *  It  was  first  coined  in  the  city  of 
New  York.  A  numbei-  of  sets  of  dies  were  made,  and  the  piece  was  subse- 
quently coined  not  merely  in  Xew  Yoi'k,  but  also  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
Ru])ert,  Vermont,  and  other  places.  The  dies  wei*e  made  by  Abel  Buel,  of 
New  Haven,  and  the  coins  were  struck  by  means  of  a  drop  press." 

The  ensuing  notice  of  these  coins  was  circidated  in  the  papers  of  that  time  : 

"  The  coinage  of  federal  Cents,  coppers,  at  New  York,  we  are  told,  is 
carrying  on,  and  we  may  expect  soon  to  see  them  in  circulation  among  us  — 
these  will  free  us  I'rom  the  impositions  to  which  we  are  now  exposed  from  the 
floods  of  light  half-coined  British  half-pence,  introduced  among  us — and  as, 
I'rom  the  excellent  monitorial  caution,  'mind  touk  business,'  impressed  on 
each  of  these,  they  may  prove  an  antidote  to  insurgency,  they  will  doubtless 
be  held  in  high  estimation." 

'  "In  the  year  1756,  lie  (Ritteiihonse,)  made  an  eight-ilay  cluck,  for  his  brother  in-law, 
Mr.  Barton  ;  over  the  dial-plate  of  wiiich,  was  engra\en  this  menieutory  motto  —  Ttnipus fugit ; 
and  underneath,   this  lilunt   lint  too  often  necessary  precept —  Go  ahout  your  bnsiness. 

"On  one  description  of  the  continental  bills  of  credit,  issued  by  congress  during  the  Ameri- 
can war,  were  represented  a  sun-dial  and  a  meridian  sun  over  it  :  above,  the  word  '  Fugio  ; '  and 
beneath,  these  words — ']Mind  your  Business.'  And  on  the  reverse  of  a  copper  one  cent  piece, 
struck  in  the  year  1787,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolve  of  congress  of  the  6th  of  July  in  that  year, 
are  impressed  the  same  device  and  mottoes  as  those  last  mentioned  ;  corresponding  with  those 
adopted  by  our  Philosopher,  when  only  twenty-four  years  of  age  :  a  circumstance  that  shews, 
how  early  in  life  lie  had  formed  a  just  estimate  of  the  value  of  time. 

"It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  observe,  that  the  various  devices  athxed  to  the  continental 
money,  as  it  was  called,  were  much  admired  for  their  apj)ropriate  signiticancy  ;  and  that  they 
■were  generally  supposed  to  be  the  production  of  the  late  ingenious  Judge  Hopkinson,  an  intimate 
friend  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse."^^«?-<t>«'6'  Memoirs  of  David  Rittenhouse,   p.  467. 


PATTEPxNS    AND    TOKENS. 


In  this^  chapter  Ave  shall  describe  a  variety  of  pieces,  some  of  which  were 
of  American  manufacture,  while  others  were  struck  in  Europe,  with  reference 
to,  and  foi-  circulation  in,  America;  separating  them  into  classes  according  to 
their  purpose  or  origin. 

As  many  of  these  were  probably  designed  as  patterns  for  either  Federal 
or  State  coins,  although  no  actual  proof  exists  that  all  were  so  intended, 
we   shall  place  them  tinder  the  head  of 

FEDERAL  AXD  STATE  PATTERNS. 

First  in  this  class  should  be  placed  the  Massachusetts  Pine  Tree  Copper, 
and  Halfpenny,  both  dated  1776.  Of  neither  of  these  have  we  any  reliable 
history,  antedating  their  comparatively  recent  discovery. 


MASSACHUSETTS   PINE  TREE   COPPE]{. 

OliVKHSE. 

Device,  —  A  Pine  Tree,  its  trunk  dividing  the  characters  ic  lm 
Legend,  —  massachuset      ts  state 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty,  seated  upon  a  globe,  facing  left,  sup- 
porting with  her  left  hand  the  staif  of  lil)erty,  and  holding  the  cap  extended 
in  her  right.     At  her  feet   sits  a  dog. 


304  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

Legend,  —  liberty  axb  virtue 

In  exergue,  —  1776 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size, —  20.     Weight  198  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  Xo.  7,  and  Fig.  48.] 

This  probably  unique  piece,  now  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  William  S. 
Appleton,  was  formerly  owned  by  Mr.  J.  Colburn,  of  Boston,  who  obtained  it 
about  1852,  from  Mr.  Edward  W.  Hooper,  then  a  school-boy  collector  of  coins. 
Mr.  Hooper  purchased  it  from  a  grocer  at  the  northei'ly  part  of  the  city, 
who  found  it  many  years  before  while  excavating  on  his  premises,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Hull,  or  Charter  Street,  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  addition  to 
his  dwelling.     He  had  long  preserved  it  as  a  curiosity. 

We  take  this  to  be  the  first  pattern  for  a  Massachusetts  Cent,  and  the 
characters  upon  the  obverse  to  be  abbreviations  for  "  One  Cent  Lawful  Money." 

MASSACHUSETTS    IIALFPEXXY. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Three  heads  combined,  facing  left,  front,  and  right. 
Legend,  —  state  of      massa  :  h  d 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty,  lacing  right,  resting  against  a  globe. 
Her  right  hand  supports  the  stafl'  of  liberty,  in  her  left  she  holds  the  cap, 
and  at  her  feet  sits  a  dog. 

Legend,  —  goddess  liberty 

In  exergue,  — 1776 

Borders  and  edge  plain.     Size, — 15.     Weight  81  grains. 

[Piate  VII.  No.  8,  and  Fig.  49.] 

This  piece  which  has  been  known  as  the  "Janus  Copper,''  we  think  may 
more  properly  be  called  the  Massachusetts  Halfpenny.  It  has  three  heads  com- 
bined, instead  of  two  as  in  a  Janus  head.  This  device  resembles  the  Brahma 
of  Hindoo  mythology,  which  represents  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future. 

The  only  specimen  known  of  this  curious  pattern  is  in  the  collection  of 
Matthew  A.  Stickney,  Esq.,  and  was  found  with  an  engraved  piece  (see  plate 
VII.  No.  9,)  and  some  proof  impressions  from  plates  for  continental  paper 
money  engraved  by  Paul  Revere  ;  fi'om  this  circumstance  Mr.  Stickney  is 
inclined  to  the  opinion  that  they  were  the  work  of  that  engraver.  However 
this  may  be,  the  Pine  tree  cent,  and  this  Halfpenny  sufficiently  resemble  each 


PATTERNS   AND    TOKENS.  305 

Other  in  their  workmanship,  to  he  considered  the  work  of  the  same  artist. 
They  were  probably  ])rivate  enterjirises,  as  no  mention  of  tlicm  is  found  upon 
any  records. 

CUMIN K.XTAl.   fUJaiENCY. 
OBVERSE. 

Device, —  Thirteen  rings  interlinked,  each  bearing  the  name  of  a  State. 
Legend,  —  America^'   congress  •  on  a  small  label  around  the  centre. 
Centre,  —  we  are  one 
A  glory  fills  the  space  between  the  legend  and  the  thirteen  rings. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  sun-dial,  the  sun  shining  upon  it  from  the  upper  lel't. 
In  exergue,  —  mind  your  business 
Near  the  sun,  in  the  same  circle,  the  word  ruGio 
Legend,  —  continental  curency  1776  around  the  whole. 
Borders,  —  Beaded.     Edge,  —  Ornamented  with  leaf-work.     Size,  —  25. 
Weight,  —  Silver,  378  grains.     Tin,  258  grains.     Brass,  224  grains. 

[Pluto  VIII.  No.  15.] 

One  specimen  of  this  variety,  lound  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Parmelee,  is 
struck  in  silver  :  this  has  i)i-ol)ably  done  service  as  a  dollar,  as  it  bears 
evidence  of  considerable  wear  from  circulation.  Impressions  from  these  dies 
are  usually  found  in  tin.  A  specimen  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Brevoort,  struck 
in  brass,  (size  23,)  has  the  same  reverse  with  that  just  described,  but  the 
rings  upon  the  obverse  are  beaded,  instead  of  plain  as  in  all  the  others  :  Mr. 
Appleton  has  another,  in  brass,  from  the  same  dies,  Avith  the  beads  partly  cut 
into  lines  ;  both  these  have  a  comma  under  the  ''.  This  die  was  afterwards 
further  altered,  into  the  more  connnon  style  described  above. 

Another  reverse  similar  to  the  above,  has  the  legend  continental  cur- 
rency    Its  obverse  is  the  same  with  tliat  of  the  preceding.   [Plate  VIII.  No.  16.] 

The  tiiiid  obverse  has  tlir  legend  American  congress  In  tliis,  "N. 
HAMP's"  pi-ecedes  "massachs"  in  the  i-ings,  thus  dillering  from  the  other 
dies.  Its  reverse  has  the  sun  more  nearly  above  the  dial,  and  e  g  fecit  (e  g 
probably  the  initials  of  the  die  cutter,)    in  the  inner  circle,  above  the  date. 

These  pieces  are  not  of  extreme  rarity,  neither  are  they  very  common  : 
the  one  most  difficult  to  obtain,  excepting  ■'hose  in  silver  and  brass,  (only  one 
specimen  of  each  of  which  is  known,)   is  lliat    last   dcsciihed. 

In    Watson's  Chemical    Essays,   (Dublin,   1791,)    we   lind   \h\s  mention  of 


306  THE    EARLY   OOIXS    OF   AMERICA. 

these  pieces  :  "  The  Congress  in  America  had  recourse  to  the  same  expedient  ; 
[the  coinage  of  tin,]  they  coined  several  jjieces  of  about  an  inch  and  half  in 
diameter,  and  of  240  grains  in  weight  ;  on  one  side  of  which  was  inscribed 
in  a  circular  I'ing  near  the  edge  —  Continental  Currency,  1776  —  and  within 
the  ring  a  rising  sun,  with  —  fugio  —  at  the  side  of  it,  shining  upon  a  dial, 
under  wliich  was  —  Mind  your  business.  —  On  the  reverse  were  thirteen  small 
circles  joined  together  like  the  rings  of  a  chain,  on  each  of  which  was 
inscribed  the  name  of  some  one  of  the  thirteen  states  ;  on  another  circular 
ring,  within  these,  was  inscribed  —  American  Congress  —  and  in  the  central 
space  —  we  are  one.  —  I  have  been  particular  in  tlie  mention  of  this  piece  of 
money,  because  like  the  leaden  money  which  was  struck  at  Vienna,  when  that 
city  was  besieged  by  the  Turks  in  1529,  it  will  soon  become  a  great  curiosity. 
I  estimated  the  weight  of  a  cubic  foot  of  this  Continental  currency,  it  was 
equal  to  7'440  ounces  :  this  exceeds  the  weight  of  our  best  sort  of  pewter, 
and  falls  short  of  that  of  our  worst  ;  I  conjecture  that  the  metal  of  the  con- 
tinental currency  consisted  of  12  parts  of  tin  and  one  of  lead." 

A  fine  specimen  of  an  engraved  jjattern  is  the 

XOX  •  DEPEXDENS • STATUS 


8^ 


OBVEIiSE. 

Device,  —  A  head  facing  right,  with  hair  falling  to  the  shoulder,  Avhere 
upon  an  oval  shield  are  emblazoned  a  stati'  with  flag,  and  a  sword  crossing  ; 
in  each  angle,  a  fleur  de  lis.     Upon  the  breast  is  a  winged  head. 

Legend,  —  xox  •  depex  -  dexs  •  status 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  Indian,  clad  only  with  a  tunic  of  feathers,  facing  left,  seated 
upon  a  globe.  In  his  right  hand  he  holds  extended  a  bunch  of  tobacco;  his 
leil  rests  upon  a  shield  bearing  the  same  emblems  with  that  upon  the  obverse. 

Legend,  —  amer     ica 

In  exergue,  — 1778 

Borders  and  edge  plain.     Size, —  19.     [Fig.  .50.] 

Nothing  is  known  of  the  origin  or  liistory  of  this  piece. 


PATTERNS    AND    TOKENS. 


307 


THE   NOVA   COXS'IELLATIO    PATTEliXS. 


THE    "MARK." 

OF.VKRSE. 

Device,  —  An    eye,  forming-   tlie  centre  of  a  glory   of  thirteen   points,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 
Legend,  —  nova  constellatio    * 
Border,  —  A  wreath   of  leaves. 

kev?:kse. 
Device.  —  A  wreath,  enclosing  the  letters  U.  S  and  the  figures  1.000 

Legend,  —  libektas  ■  .justitia  ■  1783  • 

Border,  —  A  wreath  of  leaves.     Edge,  —  Ornamented  with  leal-work. 
Size,  —  21.     Weight,  —  270  grains  =  eleven  pennyweights,  six  grains. 

[Philc  VIII.   Xci.   1,  una  Fig.  51.] 

THE    "QIINT." 

OHVEliSE  NO.  1. 

Device,  —  An  eye  on  a  plain  field  within  a  glory  of  thirteen  points,   the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 
Legend,  —  nova  constellatio  v 

Size,  —  IG2.     Weight,  — 135  grains  =  five  pennyweights,  fifteen  grains. 

[I'l.itr  VIII.   No.  2,  .and  Fig.  52.] 

(I15VERSE   NO.  2. 

Device,  —  An  eye,  forming  the  centre  of  a  glory  of  thirteen  points,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 

In  place  of  a  legend  this   lias  a   plain   raised   I'ing. 
Size, —  K).     Weight, —  110  gi'ains. 

Il'lati'  VHl.   No.  3.] 

IJEVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  wreath  enclosing  the  letters  U.  S  and   tiie   ligiires   'A)0 
Legend,  —  libkrtas  •  .justitia  •  1783- 

Borders  of  both,  beaded,  ;ind   edges  ornamented   with  leaf-work. 
This  reverse  is   upon   both   specimens  of  tlie  (^)uint. 


308  THE    EATILT    (JOINS    OF    AMERICA. 

These  are  undoubtedly  the  first  patterns  for  a  coinage  for  the  United 
States,  and  command  an  interest  exceeding  that  of  any  others  of  this  class  : 
fortunately  the  early  records  supply  some  information  definitely  referring  to 
them. 

The  financier,  Robert  Morris,  reported,  January  15,  1782,  a  system  of 
coinage  devised  by  Gouverneur  Morris.  We  quote  the  portions  most  impor- 
tant in  this  connection,  from  Sparks's  Life  of  Gouverueui"  Morris. 

"  The  various  coins,  which  have  circulated  in  America,  have  undergone 
difl:erent  changes  in  their  value,  so  that  there  is  hardly  any  whicli  can  be 
considered  as  a  general  standard,  unless  it  be  Spanish  dollai's.  These  pass 
in  Georgia  at  five  shillings,  in  Korth  Carolina  and  New  York  at  eight 
shillings,  in  Virginia  and  the  four  Eastern  States  at  six  shillings,  and  in  all 
the  other  States,  excepting  South  Carolina,  at  seven  shillings  and  sixpence, 
and  in  South  Carolina  at  thirty-two  shillings  and  sixpence.  The  money  unit 
of  a  new  coin  to  agree,  without  a  fraction,  with  all  these  ditferent  values  of 
a  dollar,  excepting  the  last,  will  be  the  fourteen  hundred  and  fortieth  part  of 
a  dollar,  equal  to  the  sixteenth  hundredth  part  of  a  crown.  Of  these  units, 
twenty-four  will  be  a  penny  of  Georgia,  fifteen  will  be  a  penny  of  North 
Carolina  or  New  York,  twenty  will  be  a  penny  of  Virginia  and  the  four 
Eastern  States,  sixteen  will  be  a  penny  of  all  the  other  States,  excepting 
South  Car(.)lina,  and  forty-eight  will  be  thirteen  pence  of  South  Carolina. 

"It  has  already  been  observed,  that,  to  have  the  money  unit  very  small, 
is  advantageous  to  commerce  ;  l)ut  there  is  no  necessity  that  this  money  unit 
be    exactly   represented  in    coin  ;    it    is    suflficient   that  its    value    be   precisely 
known.     On  the  present  occasion,  two  copper  coins  will  be  proper,  the   one 
of  eight  units,  and   the   other  of  five.     These   may  be  called  an  Eight  and  a 
Five.     Two  of  the   former  will  make   a  penny,  proclamation  or  Pennsylvania 
money,  and  three  a  penny  Georgia  money.     Of  the  latter,  three  will  make  a 
penny  New  York  monej^,  and  four  a  penny  lawful,  or  Virginia  money.     The 
money  unit  will  be  equal  to  a  quai-ter  of  a  grain  of  fine  silver  in  coined  money. 
Proceeding  thence  in  a  decimal  ratio,  one  hundred  would  be  the  lowest  silver 
coin,  antl   might    be   called   a    Cent.     It  would    contain   twenty-five    grains    of 
fine    silver,   to   which    ma}^  be    added    two   grains   of   coppei-,    and    the    whole 
would   weigh  one  pennyweight  and  three  grains.     Five  of  these  would  make 
a  Quint,  or  five  hundred  units,  weighing  five  pennyweight  and  fifteen  grains  ; 
and   ten  would  make  a  Mark,  or  one  thousand  units,  weighing  eleven   penny- 
weight and  six  grains." 


PATTERNS  AND  TOKENS.  309 

Hero  we  have  ihe  name,  valm-,  and  weight  of  tliese  two  patterns,  which, 
probably  with  others,  were  8ul)mitte(l  to  Congress  for  their  approval;  but 
for  some  unknown  reason,  no  iiiiinediate  action  was  taken  thereupon. 

Jeflerson,  after  consultalioii  with  Morris,  remarks,  "he  seems  to  concur 
witli  me,  in  thinking  his  smallest  li-actional  division  too  minute  for  a  Unit, 
and,  therefore,  proposes  to  transfer  that  denomination  to  his  largest  silver 
coin,  containing  1000  of  the  units  first  proposed,  and  worth  about  -is.  2d. 
lawful,  or  II  of  a  dollar.  The  only  question  then  remaining  between  us  is, 
whether  the  Dollar,  or  this  coin,  be  best  for  the  Unit.  Wi'  both  agree  that 
the  ease  of  adoption  ivith  the  j^eople,  is  the  thing  to  be  aimed  at.'' 

One  system  of  c()ins  proposed  by  Morris  was  as  follows  :  — 

"One  crown,  or  ton  ilolhivs,  ('(|n.il  to   .         .         .         .         .         .         .  10,000 

One  dollar,  or  ten  bills,  e(|nal   to 1,000 

One  bill,  or  ti'n   ])Oiu'o,  equal   to           .......  100 

One  penny,   or  ten  ipiartcrs,  e(|iial   l<i          .....         .  10 

One  quarter,   c(|iial   to            .........  1    ' 

(The  term  "bills,"  prol)aljly  should  l)e  "bits,"  as  in  the  official    report.) 

"The  value  of  the  (jiKirlcr  is  e(pial  to  a  quarter  of  a  grain  of  pure  silver, 
or  one  fourteen  hundred  and   loriictli  part  of  a  Spanish  dollar. 

"This  was  his  first  plan  of  a  new  coinage,  founded  on  tlu'  principle  of 
decimals  and  a  iiionoii  milt,  'i'he  largest  piece,  or  crown,  was  to  be  of  gold  ; 
the  ne.\t,  or  dollar,  of  silver.  He  proposed,  also,  that  for  oonvenience  there 
should  be  other  coins  struck,  besides  those  here  designated,  but  that  each 
should  contain  a  precise  number  of  the  money  unit.  *  *  *  *  * 

"Lastly,  as  to  the  names  above  chosen,  they,  like  all  other  names,  are 
arbitrary,  and  pei-haps  lietter  may  be  substituted.  The  word  crown  occurred, 
from  the  following  idea  of  an  impression  for  a  gold  coin  ;  viz.  An  Indian, 
with  his  bow  in  his  left  hand,  and  in  his  i-ight  hand  thirteen  arrows,  and  his 
right  foot  on  a  crown  ;  the  inscri|)tion,  maims  inlmica  tijrannis.'" 

Morris  subsequently  rcmodelkul  his  plan,  and  "assumed  for  his  Lfnit  an 
amount  eipuU  to  twelve  shillings  and  si.x  pence  sterling,  which  he  called  a 
pound,  making  this  divisable  by  ten,  and  giving  the  names  of  pounds,  shillings, 
pence,  and  doits  to  the  several  divisions  ;  thus, 

"One  pound  is  equal  to  .........         •        1,000 

One  shilliuii;  e<iual  to      .........  •  '"'* 

One  penny  C(|ual  to         .........  .  10 

One  doit  e(|ual  to  . 1 

•  •  •  *  •  •  • 


310  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

"  The  table  of  coins  proposed  in  connection  witii  this  system  of  reckon- 
ing was  as  follows. 

"  Crown,  of  gold      .........  value  1,200  doits. 

Half  crown 600 

Dollar,  of  silver 300 

Sliilling 100 

Groat" 20 

Doit,  of  copper     .........  1" 

A  still  ditferent  system  of  coins  upon  the  same  basis,  is  given  in  the 
American  State  Papers  ;  this  is  as  follows  : 

C  Penn.  currency.    Virginia  currency. 

"  Of  gold,  weighing  188  (|rs.         Expression  1,0000         Value  £2  12  0  £2  1     8 

94  "  "  .5000  "       1     6  Oi  1  0  10 

Of  silver,                  "        260  "  "  .1000  "05  2^  042 

104  "  "  .400  "       0     2  l'  0  18 

"                             "          52  "  "  .200  "       0     1  Oi  0  0  10 

«                             "          26  "  "  .100  "       0     0  6i  0  0     5 

Of  copper,                "          00  "  "  .5  "000  00     OJ 

"                             "          00  "  "  .4  "       0     0  0|  0  0     0" 

In  a  statement  of  the  accounts  of  the  United  States,  we  find  among  the 
"Expenditures  for  Contingencies,"  between  January  and  July,  1783,  the  fol- 
lowing items  referring  to  the  preparations  for  coining  ;  and  there  is  no 
reason  to  doubt  that  these  patterns  are  the  results  of  those  preparations. 

Dollars.        OOths. 

"February  8.     Jacob  Eckfield,  for  Dies  for  the  ]Miiit  of  Xortli  .\nierica,  5  18 

March  21.     Benjamin  Dudley  employed  in  jireparing  a  Mint,          .         .  75  24 

April  17.     Joliii  Swanwick,  for  Dies  for  the  Public  Mint,       .         .         .  22  42 
May  5.     A.  Duljois,   for   sinking,   casehardeiiiiig,  &v.  four    Pair  of  Dies 

for  the  Public  JNlint, 72 

.Tune  30.      Benjamin    Dudley   employed  in   jirepariug  a  ^liiil,   ...  77  60" 

Some  iiu'ther  paiticulars  are  furnished  by  Robert  Morris,  in  his  diai"y  : 

"1783.  April  2'^  I  sent  for  M'  Dudley  who  delivered  me  a  piece  of 
Silver  Coin,  being  the  first  that  has  been  struck  as  an  American  Coin. 

"  April  16"'  Sent  for  M'  Dudley  and  urged  him  to  prt)duce  the  Coins  to 
lay  befoi'e  Congress  to  establish  a  Mint. 

"  April  17"'  Sent  for  M'  Dudley  to  urge  the  preparing  of  Coins  &''  for 
Establi-sliiug  a  Mint. 

"  April  2'i'"  M"'  Dudle}'  sent  in  several  Pieces  of  Money  as  pattei'us  of  the 
intended   American  Coins." 


PATTERNS  AND  TOKENS.  311 

"July  5"'  M''  Benj"  Dudley  *  *  *  "•  *  also  informs  of  a  Minting  Press 
being-  in  j^ew  York  for  sale,  and  lu'ges  me  to  purchase  it  for  the  use  of  the 
American  Mint. 

"July  7'"  M"'  Dudley  respecting  the  Minting  Press,  but  I  had  not  time 
to  see  him. 

"August  19*  I  sent  for  M"'  Benjamin  Dudley,  and  informed  him  of  my 
doubts  about  the  establishment  of  a  Mint  and  desired  him  to  think  of  some 
employment  in  private  service,  in  which  I  am  willing  to  assist  him  all  in  my 
power.  I  told  him  to  make  out  an  account  for  the  services  he  had  per- 
formed for  the  public,  and  submit  at  the  Treasury  office  for  inspection  and 
settlement. 

"xVugust  30'"  M"^  Dudley  brought  the  dies  for  Coining  in  the  American 
Mint." 

The  dies  for  the  larger  piece,  or  Mark,  diflercd  materially  from  those  for 
the  smaller  pieces,  or  Quint,  as  they  were  apparently  cut  by  hand,  while 
the  latter  were  made  in  the  more  usual  method,  by  the  use  of  punches.  The 
edges  of  all  the  coins  were  finislied  alike. 

But  three  specimens  from  these  dies  are  known,  all  of  which  are  now  in 
the  cabinet  of  the  writer.  The  ownership  of  two  of  them  is  traced  to  the 
Hon.  Charles  Thomson,  the  Secretary  of  the  first  Congress,  in  the  following- 
letter  received  with  them  from  Mr.  Henry  S.  Adams,  by  -whom  they  were 
purchased  from  Mr.  Haseltine  : 

"John  W.  Haseltine,  Esqr.  Phihidclphia,  May  28,  1872. 

"  Dear  Sir  The  history  of  tlie  two  coins  which  you  obtained  from  me, 
viz.  Nova  Constellatio  1783,  U.  S.  1000,  N'ova  Constellatio,  1783  U.  S.  500  is 
as  follows. 

"They-svere  the  ijrojx'ity  of  the  Hon.  Charles  Tliomson,  Secretary  of  the 
first  Congress.  At  his  dealli  his  iii-opci'ty  was  left  by  Will  to  his  nci)hcw, 
John  Tliomson,  of  Newark,  Slate  of  Dchiware.  Tiiese  two  coins  wcrt'  found 
in  llic  di'sk  of  the  said  deceased  Charles  Thomson,  and  preserved  by  his 
ne])hcw  dining  his  life  ;  at  his  di'atli  tlicy  canie  iiiln  the  possession  ol'  his  xm 
Saiiuiil  E.  Thomson  of  Newark,  Delaware,  from  whinu  1  i-cceivcd  tlum.  So 
yon  will  pciceix c  that  their  gt'iuiincncss  eaiuiot  be  (|iii'stioued  ;  as  they  were 
never  out   of  the   jiossession   of  the  Tliomson   i'amily,   imlil    I   ri'ccivcd   them. 

" 'S'oin-s   rc-|icctriilly,  Iv'allimell    Wilson." 


312 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


The  pedigree  of  the  thu-d  we  are  unable  to  trace  ;  but  it  beai's  upon  its 
reverse  evidence  of  its  genuineness,  as  it  is  from  the  same  die  that  impressed 
the  otlier  of  the  same  vakie  —  a  Quint. 

Samuel  Curwen,  in  his  diary,  under  the  date  of  May  15,  1784,  gives  the 
following  description  of  what  he  calls  a  medal  :  — 

"Mr.  Bartlet  presented  me  with  a  medal    struck  in  Philadelphia;  —  in  a 

round    compartment    stands,    "■  U.  S 5 1783  ; '  —  round,     '  Libertas    et 

Justitia  ;  '  on  the  other  side,  in  the  centre,  an  eye  surrounded  by  a  glory  ;  the 
whole  encoraj^assed  hy  thirteen  stars,  —  with  the  legend, '^oua  Constellatio.'"'' 

This  was  evidently  another  of  the  patterns  referred  to  by  Mori-is,  probably 
that  called  a  "Five."  If  all  the  dies  mentioned  were  foi-  coin,  and  if  impres- 
sions were  taken  from  all,  it  remains  for  some  fortunate  investigator  to  discover 
the  pieces  still  wanting  to  exhibit  the  designs  of  the  dies  as  yet  unrepresented 
in  the  cabinets  of  our  numismatists.  It  is  not  improbable,  howevei-,  that  the 
item  to  Swanwick  was  for  the  dies  in  the  rough,  as  that  to  Dubois  so  par- 
ticularly specifies  the  work  he  performed.  If  this  sujjposition  be  correct,  and 
if  the  piece  described  by  Curwen  was  the  "  Five,"  as  we  believe,  we  have 
descriptions  of  seven  out  of  the  eight  dies  mentioned. 

Jcfterson''s  modification  of  Mori'is's  system  ultimately  prevailed,  which 
probably  accounts  ibr  the  scarcity  of  the  patterns  of  Morris's  proposed  coins  : 
owing  to  the  disadvantages  under  which  they  were  produced,  it  is  ])robable 
that  very  few  of  these  were  struck  ;  perhaps,  indeed,  and  it  is  not  unlikely, 
but  a  single  specimen  of  each,  to  submit  to  Congress. 


THE   IMMUNE   COLUMBIAS. 


OBVERSE,  NO.  1. 

Device,  —  An  eye  on  a  plain  field,  within  a  glory  of  thirteen  points,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 
Legend,  —  nova  constellatio 
Border,  —  Serrated. 


PATTERNS    AND    TOKENS.  313 

OBVERSE  NO.  2. 

Device,  —  An  eye  on  a  plain  field,  within  a  glory  of  thirteen  points,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 
Legend,  —  nova  •  constellatio  • 
Border,  —  Serrated. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty,  seated,  facing  right,  with  the  scales 
of  justice  extended  in  her  left  hand,  the  stafi*,  with  liberty  cap  and  flag,  in 
her  right. 

Legend,  —  evimune  Columbia  • 

In  exergue,  — 1785. 

Border,  —  Seri-ated.     Edges,  —  Plain,  or  Milled.     Size,  —  17. 

Weight,  —  Gold,  128.8  grains.     Silver,  92  grains.     Copper,  148  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  Nos.  30  and  31,  and  Figs.  53  and  54.] 
The  following  dies  were  muled  with  the  Immune  Columbia: 

VERMON   AUCTORI. 

Device,  —  A  head,  laiireated,  facing  right,  with  mailed  bust. 

Legend,  —  vermon  auctori 

Border,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  16.     Weight,  —  106  grains. 

CEORCIVS   *  III  •    REX. 

Device,- — A  head,  laureated,  facing  right,  with  mailed  bust. 

Legend,  —  ceorcivs  *  iii  •  rex. 

Borders,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  16.    Weight,  — 129  grains. 

[Fig.  36,  i>.   186,  and  I'late   VII.   No.  Ji'i.j 

The  legend  of  the  last,  "  ceorcivs  "  is  peculiar.  The  same  punches 
used  on  the  dies  for  the  New  Jersey  and  Vermont  coins,  as  well  as  on 
several  other  pieces,  were  used  on  this  die.  In  none  ol'  the  dies  referred  to 
was  a  G  required,  except  in  another  ceorcivs,  (muled  with  llic  Liber  Natus,) 
and  "the  george  clinton  ;  and  in  the  last,  the  saiiR!  C  punch  was  used,  and 
cut  into  a  G,  in  the  die.  These  nuisl  have  been  the  latest  impressions  from  the 
Inuuune  die,  as  many  of  them  have  quite  an  uneven  surface,  proving  the  die  to 
have  yielded,  and  become  concave.     The  last  two  are  found  in  cojjper  only. 

These  pieces  are  all  extreuiely  raic,  and  as  they  wei-e  stiiick  in  gold. 
silver,  and  copper,  it  is  presumed  that  they  were  intended  as  p;itterns  foi-  a 
coin   in  the   metal   foi-  which   tliev   might    be  consideri'd   the  most    auniopriale. 


314  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

The  only  known  specimen  in  gold,  is  that  in  the  Mint  at  Phihidelphia  : 
its  obverse  is  No.  2.  Mr.  W.  E.  Du  Bois,  the  Assayer  of  the  Mint,  sends  us 
the  following  particulai's :  "The  gold  'Immune'  weighs  128.8  grains,  near  the 
full  weight  of  the  guinea  (129.5)  and  therefore  struck  on  a  good  piece. 
The  guinea  legend,  of  one  of  the  Georges,  can  be  seen  beneath  ;  a  golden 
'  palimpsest,'  we  may  say.  The  edge  is  milled  or  notched  ;  the  whole  coin 
very  thin,  as  the  guinea  was.  The  bullion  value  is  $5.05."  Of  those  in 
silver  we  have  seen  but  five,  all  with  obverse  No.  1,  and  with  milled  edges; 
and  with  this  obverse,  in  copper,  only  one.  Of  the  copper  with  obverse  No.  2, 
the  number  is  probably  about  eight,  all  with  plain  edges. 

The  three  dies  first  described,  were  probably  the  work  of  Thomas  Wyon, 
of  Birmingham,  England  ;  and  the  obverses  are  both  to  be  found  on  the 
copper  NOVA  constellatio  series. 

Both  of  the  muled  pieces  bear  evidence  of  the  same  handiwork,  probably 
that  of  James  F.  Atlee,  of  Machin's  Mills.  These  are  found  only  in  copper, 
and  are  as  rare  as  the  others  in  the  same  metal, —  the  vekmon  auctori 
more  so. 

CONFEDERATIOS    AND    EXCELSIORS. 

An  interesting  series  of  pieces  is  next  presented,  which  are  curiously 
connected,  and  extensively  muled.  The  Confederatios  form  the  pi'incipal  por- 
tion of  this  group,  which  is  illustrated  on  Plate  VII .  Nos.  10  to  24  inclusive. 

Most  of  the  members  of  this  group,  the  Confederatios  excepted,  have  not 
been  supposed  to  bear  any  relation  to  each  other,  or  to  any  other  series  :  but 
if  it  is  allowable  to  judge  of  the  origin  of  these  pieces  by  marked  peculiarities 
common  to  most  of  them,  proving  conclusively  the  use  of  the  same  punches 
in  making  the  dies,  and  b}'  the  muling  of  these  dies  with  others,  the  origin 
of  which  is  believed  to  be  known,  and  which  exhibit  the  same  marked  pecu- 
liarities, we  may  fairly  infer  that  all  of  these  were  produced  by  the  same 
artist,  or  under  his  direction. 

The  group  thus  formed  comprises  the  Confederatios,  which  include  among 
their  reverses  a  Libertas  et  Justitia  of  1785,  a  Washington  and  the  Immunis 
Columbia,  of  1786,  and  the  "New  York  Excelsiors."  It  numbers  in  all, 
(excluding  the  two  New  Jerseys  connected  with  it  on  the  plate,)  thirteen 
dies,  which  are  struck  in  fourteen  combinations. 

It  is  very  probable  that  some  of  these  dies  were  designed  as  patterns  foi" 
the  coins  of  New  Jersey,  while  others  were  intended  for  those  of  New  York; 


PATTERNS    AND    TOKENS.  315 

and  some,  perhajis,  sjiruiig  from  the  more  ambitious  motive  of  furnishing 
a  coin  foi-  National  adoption,  the  Washington  pieces  of  this  grouj)  being 
not  inajiprojariate,  in  respect  to  the  ideas  expressed  upon  them,  for  such  a 
purpose. 

The  dies  for  these  pattei'ns  we  believe  to  have  been  made  by  Thomas 
Wyon,  of  Birmingham,  England,  and  it  is  supposed  that  most  of  the  impres- 
sions Ironi  them  were  struck  there  ;  but  it  appears  certain  that  one  of  the 
dies  was  brought  to  xVmerica,  and  used  here,  as  it  foi'ms  the  reverse  of  one 
of  the  New  Jersey  coins. 

The  fact  that  the  date  of  the  obverse  with  which  this  reverse  die  first 
appeared,  is  that  of  the  earliest  coins  of  New  Jersey,  suggests  that  this  die 
was  the  pattern  adopted  for  the  coin  of  that  State,  and  was  procured,  and 
preserved  as  a  model  for  other  dies  until  the  year  following,  when  it  was 
brought  into  use,  but  to  a  very  limited  extent,  as  we  find  but  two  specimens 
bearing  its  impress. 

Implicit  reliance  as  to  the  conunon  origin  of  two  dies  cannot  be  reposed 
in  a  judgment  based  upon  their  presence  upon  the  same  i^lanchet  :  bixt  when 
this  evidence  is  supported  by  a  marked  similarity  in  the  workmanship  of  the 
dies,  it  may  be  taken  as  conclusive. 

Thus  in  the  case  of  the  immune  Columbia  •  muled  with  the  vekmon 
AUCTOUi  and  the  ceokcivs*iii-  eex.  ;  the  first  is  a  finely  executed  die, 
probably  by  Wyon,  while  both  the  othei's  are  of  a  very  inferior  style  of  work- 
manship, piobably  by  Atlee  :  we  cannot  account  for  their  presence  in  the 
same  hands  in  order  to  eftect  these  combinations,  unless  the  immune  die 
was  procui-ed  by  Atlee,  as  it  is  probable  that  the  shield  die  was,  either  by 
him,  or  by  the  undertakers  of  the  coinage  for  New  Jersey. 

The  same  I'emarks  will  a])ply  to  the  workmanship  of  tlie  obverse  of  the 
New  Jersey  coin  which  is  coupk'd  with  the  reverse  die  of  tlie  immunis  of 
1780.  This  reverse  we  attribute  to  Wyon  ;  but  we  are  not  of  the  opinion 
that  the  New  Jersey  obverse  came  from  tlic  same  liand,  neither  does  it  resemble 
in  any  respect,  any  die  of  llie  grouj)  now  under  consideration. 

The  inimica  tykannis  •  America  •  furnishes  an  interesting  instance  of  a 
narrow  escape  from  the  loss  of  an  im])or1ant  sjX'cimen.  It  was  found  in 
digging  up  an  old  drain,  in  Berlin,  Connecticut,  in  1801.  How  many  varieties 
of  coins  have  been  thus  lost,  but  not  so  fortunately  i-ecovered,  it  is  impossible 
to  estimate. 


316 


THE    EAliLY    COINS    OF    AMKEICA. 


OBVERSE  NO.  1. 

Device,  —  A  cluster  of  thirteen  large  stars,  upon  a  central  field  of  size  8, 
within  a  glory  of  twenty-four  groups  of  fine  rays. 
Legend,  —  confedekatio  •  1785  • 
Border,  —  Serrated. 

obverse  no.  2. 

Device,  —  A  cluster  of  thirteen  small  stars  upon  a  central  field  of  size  6, 
within  a  glory  of  sixteen  gi-oups  of  fine  rays. 
Legend,  —  coneederatio  •  1785  • 
Border,  —  Serrated. 


REVERSE   A. 

Device,  —  An  Indian  standing  beside  an  altar,  with  his  right  foot  upon 
a  crown.  In  his  I'ight  hand  is  an  arrow,  in  his  left,  a  bow,  and  at  his  back, 
a  quiver  full  of  arrows. 

Legend,  —  tnimica         tyrannis  •  America  • 

Border,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  18.     Weight,  —  112  grains. 

reverse  b. 

Device,  —  An  Indian  standing  beside  an  altar,  with  his  right  foot  upon  a 
crown.  In  his  right  hand  is  an  arrow,  in  his  left,  a  bow,  and  at  his  back,  a 
quiver  fidl  of  arrows. 

Legend,  —  inimioa  tyrannis  •  Americana  • 

Border,  —  Serrated.  Edge,  — Plain.  Size,— 18.  Weight,  —  147  to  153 
grains. 

The  two  pi'eceding  reverses  we  take  to  be  those  designed  for  the  fore- 
going obverses.     Reverse  A  is  found  only  with  the  first  obverse  ;  reverse  B, 

with  both. 

[Plate  VII.  Nos.  11,  12,  and  13,  ami  Figs.  56  and  57.] 

reverse  t'. 
Device,  —  U  S  in  monogram,  within  a  wreath  of  thirty  pairs  of  leaves. 
Legend,  —  libertas  et  justitia  •  1785  • 

Border,  —  (worn).     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  17.     Weight,  —  103  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  10.] 


PATTERNS    AND    TOKENS.  317 

KEVEKSE  n. 

Device,  —  Head  of  Washington  facing  light. 
Legend,  —  gen  .  Washington  . 

Border  and  edge,  —  Phiin.     Size,  —  18i.     Weight,  —  134  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  14.] 
REVERSE   E. 

Device, —  An  eagle   di.splayed  ;    on   his  breast  a  shield  argent,  six  pales 
gules,  a  chief  azure.     A  bundle  of  arrows  is  in  his    right   talon,  and  in  his 
left,  an  olive  branch  with  thirteen  leaves.     About  his  head  are  thirteen  stars. 
Legend,  —  *  e  •  plukibus         unum  •     1786 
Border  and  edge, —  Plain.     Size,  —  181.     Weight,  —  134  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  15.] 
REVERSE   F. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty  seated  upon  a  globe,  facing  right;  the 
scales  of  justice  extended  in  her  left  hand,  the  staff  of  libeity,  with  cap  and 
flag,  supported  by  her  right. 

Legend,  —  immunis  Columbia  • 

In  exergue,  — 1786 

Border,  —  Serrated.  Edge,  —  Plain.  Size,  —  18.  Weight,  —  160  grains. 
[Plate  VII.  No.  16,  and  Figs.  55  and  58.] 

REVERSE  G. 

Device,  —  A  shield  argent,  six  pales  gules,  a  chief  azui*e. 
Legend,  —  *  e  ♦  plukibus  ♦  unum  ♦ 
Border,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  18. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  17,  and  Fig.  58.] 
REVERSE  H. 

Device,  —  An  eagle  displayed,  on  his  breast  a  shield  argent,  six  pales 
gules,  a  chief  azure.  In  his  right  talon  is  an  olive  branch  with  thirteen 
leaves,  in  his  lefl,  a  bundle  of  arrows.     About   iiis  lu-ad  are  thirteen  stars. 

Legend,  —  k-   plukibus         unum  *      +1787* 

Border,  —  Milled.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size, —  18.      Weight,  —  114  grains. 

The  weights  are  of  those  with  the  Confederatio  obverses. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  21,  and   Fig.  59.] 

Of  these  obverses,  No.  1,  is  I'ouiid  with  reverses  A,  B,  C,  D,  E  and  F, 
No.  2,  with  reverses  B  and  IL 

No.  1  -  F,  and  1-B,  (Figs.  55  anil  .")6. )  we  iiave  not  sn-n,  but  are 
assured   u])<)n  good   authority  that    llicy  exist.      'I'lu-  absence  of  these  coniliina- 


318 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


tions  would  not,  however,  release  from  the  group  any  one  of  the  dies,  as  the 
connection  of  all  is  established  independently  of  them.  All  the  other  combi- 
nations ai-e  known  to  us:  they  are  all  of  extreme  rarity,  the  only  piece  which 
we  have  seen  duplicated  being  IS"©.  2-B,  (Fig.  57.)  Upon  one  specimen, 
owned  by  Mr.  Appleton,  reverse  D  is  muled  with  E  (plate  YII.  No.  15-a) 
and  in  Mr.  Stickney's  collection  is  a  mule  of  reverses  E  and  G  (plate  YII. 
No.  18)  :  reverse  F  is  also  found,  but  very  rarely,  combined  with  G,  (plate 
VII.  No.  17,  and  Fig.  58)  this  is  known  as  the  New  Jersey  Immunis.  The 
weights  of  these  are  respectively  117,  133,  and  132  grains.  Of  the  varieties 
represented  on  plate  VII.  No.  10,  is  owned  by  Mr.  Hiram  S.  Shurtleft' ;  Nos. 
12,  13,  15,  17,  21  and  24,  by  Mr.  Lorin  G.  Parmelee  ;  Nos.  12,  18,  and  21,  by 
Mr.  Matthew  A.  Stickney,  and  Nos.  12,  14,  and  15a,  by  Mr.  Wm.  S.  Appleton. 
No.  16,  we  are  informed,  was  owned  by  the  late  Mr.  J.  G.  Morris,  of  Phila- 
delphia, but  its  present  owner  is  not  known,  and  a  No.  17  and  19,  are  in  the 
cabinet  of  the  writer.  The  other  j^ieces  are  found  in  most  good  collections. 
Reverse  H,  is  from  the  die  foi'ming  the  reverse  of  the  pieces  called  the 
New  York  Excelsior  cents  ;  this  being  muled  with  a  Confederatio,  connects 
them  with  this  group.  "We  shall  therefore,  in  describing  these,  continue  the 
numbers  and  letters. 


OBVERSE  NO.  a. 

Device,  —  The  State  arms  of  New  York.  Upon  an  oval  shield,  the  sun 
rising  from  behind  hills,  the  sea  in  the  foreground  ;  at  the  left  of  the  shield 
stands  Liberty,  with  staft"  and  cap,  and  at  the  right,  Justice,  with  sword  and 
scales.  Upon  a  section  of  a  globe  above  the  shield,  stands  an  eagle  with 
outspread  wings,  facing  left. 
In  exergue,  —  excelsior 

Border,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  — Plain.     Size,  — 18.     Weight,  —  141    grains. 

[Plate  YII.  No.  22.] 
OBVERSE  NO.  4. 

Like  the  last,  except  that  the  eagle  faces  the  right. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  23,  and  Fig.  59.] 


PATTERNS    AN'D    TOKENS.  319 

REVERSE  I. 

Device,  —  A  hirge  eagle,  displayed  ;  (Jii  his  jji-east  a  shield  argent,  six 
pales  gules,  a  chief  azure  :  a  bundle  of  arrows  is  in  his  right  talon,  an  olive 
branch  of  thirteen  leaves  in  his  left,  and  thirteen  stars  about  his  head. 

Legend, —  *  e  *  plukibus  unum      1787  * 

Border,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  — 18i.     Weight,  123  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  24.] 

In  the  die  last  described,  the  eagle  is  large,  his  wings  reaching  nearly  to 
the  legend  :  his  beak  is  widely  open  and  his  crest  long  and  slender.  We 
have  seen  but  two  specimens  of  this  variety  ;  they  are  in  the  collections  of 
Messrs.  Stickney,  of  Salem,  and  Parmelee,  of  Boston. 

Obverse   No.  3,  is    found  with    reverse  H.      No.  4,   with  both  H  and    I. 

These  are  all  quite  rare. 

[PlaU-  VII.   Nos.  22,  23,  and  24. J 

In  following  the  clues  which  we  pointed  out  in  our  remarks  upon  the 
coins  of  New  Jersey,  (p.  287,)  we  have  been  compelled  to  change  opinions 
we  had  formed  as  to  the  origin  of  some  pieces,  which,  although  in  doubt,  had 
previously  been  regarded  as  of  English  manufacture  ;  thus  as  we  find  upon  the 
Non  Vi  Yirtute  Yici  (1786,)  and  the  Immunis  Columbia  (1787,)  as  well  as  on 
the  Liber  Natus  Libertatem  Defendo,  and  the  George  Clinton  (1787,)  letters 
and  figures  precisely  the  same  with  those  there  described,  we  consider  them 
also  the  work  of  the  same  artist  that  cut  the  dies  before  referred  to.  It  is 
probable  that  they  were  designed  as  patterns. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Maj.  Eli  Leavenworth  stated  to  the  committee 
that  he  "Made  blank  Coppers  the  Last  fall  had  them  Stamped  in  New  york 
With  Various  Impressions  —  Some  few  of  them  With  an  Impression  Similar 
to  the  Impresion  of  the  Coppers  Coined  by  the  Aforementioned  CompT — " 
We  have  long  believed  that  the  Liber  Natus  Libertatem  Defendo,  and  the 
George  Clinton,  were  among  the  pieces  struck  foi-  Leavenworth,  probably  at 
Machin's  Mills,  and  must  now  class  with  them  the  Non  Vi  Virtute  Vici,  and 
the  Immunis  of  1787  :  it  is  not  iinlikely  that  the  Connecticuts  of  similar  work- 
manship were  also  part  ol'  the  same  enterprise.  The  Non  Vi  Virtute  Vici 
may  liave  been  a  pattern  of  Atlee's,  made  before  the  beginning  of  operations 
at  Machin's  Mills,  or,  as  is  not  unlikely,  while  he  may  have  been  engaged  in 
making  experimental  pieces,  previous  to  his  association  with  partners. 


320 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OY    AMERICA. 


THE   NON    VI    MKTUTE    VICI 


OBVERSE. 

A  bust  in  military  costume,  facing  right. 

-  XON    VI    VIRTUTE    VICI 


Device,  - 
Legend, 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty  seated,  facing  right,  with  scales  of 
justice  extended  in  her  left  hand,  the  staff,  with  liberty  cap,  supported  by 
her  right. 

Legend,  —  neo-eboracensis  • 


Li  exergue,  — 1786 

Borders, —  Sei'rated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size, 


19.     Weight, 


117  grains. 

Of  this  we  have  seen  six  or  eight  specimens. 

This  piece  is  sometimes  classed  among  the  Washingtons,  because  of  the 
resemblance  of  the  head  to  that  upon  some  of  the  Washington  medals. 

[Plate  VIII.  No.  4,  aii.l  Fig.  CO.] 


^.S'^^. 


THE   IMMUNIS   COLUMBIA   OF   1787. 
OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty,  seated  upon  a  globe,  facing  right,  the 
scales  of  justice  extended  in  her  left  hand,  the  staff  with  cap  and  flag,  sup- 
ported by  her  right. 

Legend,  —  immunis  Columbia 

In  exergue,  — 1787 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  eagle,  displayed,  holding  m  his  i-ight  talon  an  olive  branch 
of  thirteen  leaves,  and  in  his  left,  thirteen  arrows. 
Legend,  —  *  e  *  plueibus  ♦  imuM  * 

Borders,  —  Serrated.    Edge,  —  Plain.    Size,  —  16i.    Weight,  —  135  grains. 
This  piece  though  not  common,  is  not  of  extreme  rarity. 

[Plate  VIII.  No.  8,  and  Fig.  61.] 


PATTERNS   AJVD    TOKENS. 


321 


TIIK    (iKOIiGE  *  CLINTON   ♦ 
OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Bust  of  George  Clinton,  facing  right. 
Legend,  —  geokge  *  Clinton  ♦ 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  State  arms  of  New  York.  Upon  an  oval  shield,  the  sun 
rising  from  behind  hills,  the  sea  in  the  foreground  ;  at  the  left  of  the  shield 
stands  Justice,  with  sword  and  scales,  and  at  the  right,  Liberty,  with  staff 
and  cap.  Upon  a  section  of  a  globe  above  the  shield,  stands  an  eagle  with 
outspread  wings,  facing  right. 

In  exergue,  —  1787     excelsior 

Borders,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  — 17.     Weight, —  157  grains. 

The  letter  G,  on  the  obverse,  was  first  stamped  in  with  a  C  punch,  and 
altered  in  the  die,  to  a  G. 

We  know  of  not  more  than  five  specimens  of  the  George  Clinton,  the 
two  finest  of  which  are  owned  by  Mr.  Appleton,  and  Mr.  Parmelee. 

ll'laic  \III.  No.  5,  :ui(J   Fisr.  f)2. 1 


().T 


THE   LIBKli   NA  ri  S    I,IHKI{TATE.M    DKFKXDO  ♦ 
OBVERSE. 

Device, —  An  Indian,  standing,  facing  left,  a  tomahawk  in  his  right  hand, 
a  bow  in  his  left,  and  a  quiver  of  arrows  at   his  l);ick. 
Legend,  —  liber  natus  lihertatem  oefenuo  * 

liEVKIiSK    A. 

Device,  —  Tlie  State  arms  of  New  York.  Upon  an  oval  shield,  the  sun 
rising  from  behind  hills,  the  sea  in  the  foreground;  at  the  left  of  the  shield 
stands  Justice,  with  sword  and  scales,  and  at  the  light.  Liberty,  with  staft' 
and  cap.  Upon  a  section  of  a  glolx-  above  tlie  shield,  stands  an  eagle  with 
outspread  wings,  facing  right. 

In  exergue, —  1787      kxcelsioi: 

The  same  die  with  the  reverse  of  the  George  Clinton. 

Borders,  —  Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.    Size,  —  17.     Weight,  —  127  grains. 


322 


THE    EARLY    CODfS    OF   AMEHICA. 


REVERSE  B. 

Device,  —  An  eagle  standing  upon  the  section  of  a  globe. 
Legend,  —  neo-eboracus  1787     excelsior 

Border,  —  Serrated.     Edge, — Plain.     Size, — 17.     Weight,  — 153  grains. 
The  dash  in  the  legend  is  very  light,  and  does  not  appear  upon  the  plate. 
[Plate  VIII.  Nos.  6  and  7,  and  Figs.  63  and  64.] 

EEVERSE  C. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  George  III.  facing  right. 

Legend,  —  ceorcivs  ui  rex 

The  last  die  much  resembles  in  style  of  lettering  that  described  on  p.  313. 

All  these  pieces  are  very  rare  ;  that  with  reverse  A  is  most  easily  pro- 
cured; we  can  call  to  mind  but  three  with  reverse  B,  but  can  place  only  those 
of  Mr.  Appleton  and  Mr.  Bushnell.     That  with  reverse  C,  is  considered  unique. 


BRASHER'S  DOUBLOON. 


OBVERSE. 

Device, —  The  sun  rising  from  behind  a  range  of  mountains;  at  their  foot, 
in  the  foreground  is  the  sea;  brasher  underneath,  a  beaded  circle  around. 
Legend,  —  nova  *  eboraca  *  Columbia  *  excelsior  ^ 

reverse. 

Device,  —  An  eagle,  disjjlayed,  on  his  breast  a  shield  argent,  seven  pales 
gules,  a  chief  azure  ;  m  his  i-ight  talon  is  an  olive  branch,  and  in  his  left,  a 
bundle  of  arrows  ;  about  his  head  are  thirteen  stars,  and  on  his  right  wing 
is  an  oval  punch-mark  with  the  letters  E  B.  The  device  is  encircled  by  a 
wreath  of  leaves. 

Legend,  —  unum  *  e  *  pluribus  *  1787  •> 

Borders  and  edge,  —  Plain.     Size, —  19.     Weight, —408  grains,  gold. 

Four  of  these  doubloons  have  come  to  our  knowledge  ;  they  are  owned 
by  Mr.  Bushnell,  Mr.  Parmelee,  Mr.  Stiekney,  and  the  United  States  Mint  at 
Philadelphia  ;  the  tirst  has  the  punch-mark  on  the  breast  of  the  eagle. 

[Plato  IX.  No.  24,  and  -Fig.  65.] 


PLATE  VIII. 


HEUOTYPE  PATENT. 


PATTERNS    AND    TOKEN'S.  323 

AMEJUCAX   TOKEXS. 

I^iidei'  till!  head  of  American  Tokens  we  place  those  pieces  struck  in 
America,  and  also  those  striu-k  in  England  by  ^rder  of  American  merchants 
for  circulation  in  this  country,  for  purposes  either  of  change  or  advertise- 
ment, ananging  them,   in   most   instances,  according  to  their  dates. 

THE   GLOVt'ESTEU   TOKEN. 

Of  the  history  of  the  earliest  of  these,  called  the  Gloucester  Token,  nothing 
is  known.  It  appears  to  have  been  intended  as  a  pattern  for  a  shilling  of 
a  private  coinage,  by  Kichai'd  Dawson  of  Gloucester  [county  ?]  Virginia.  It 
is  probable  that  no  tokens  of  this  intended  issue  were  actually  put  in  circu- 
lation, as  we  find  no  specimen  in  silver.  But  two  specimens  of  this  are  known, 
both  struck  in  brass.  A  lull  description  cannot  be  given  of  it,  as  both 
impressions  are  very  imperfect,  and  together  they  do  not  supply  the  entire 
legends  with  certainty.  The  following  description  is  as  nearly  complete  as 
can  be  obtained. 

OUVEKSE. 

Device,  —  A  large  mullet,  voided  at  centre  and  points. 
Legend,  —  kicLhaudVJ  dawson  -anno  •  dom  •  1714  • 

ItEVEKSE. 

Device,  —  A  house. 

Legend,  —  glovcester  •  co  ■   [  ?  ]  Virginia  • 
In  exergue,  —  xii 

Borders,  —  Beaded.     Edge,  —  i'laiii.     Size,  —  li.     Weight,  —  G2  grains. 

[Phitc  IX.  No.   i.] 

These  pieces  are  owned  by  George  W.  Cram,  of  Norwalk,  Conn.,  and 
L.  (i.   I'aiinelee,  of  Boston,  Mass. 

'J'he  liduse  u])on  this  token  may  have  l)een  designed  to  represent  a  ware- 
house, but  it  is  of  a  style  corresponding  more  closely  to  that  of  some  of  the 
public-  buildings  of  olden  times.  I'ossibly  it  may  have  represented  the  court 
house  of  (iloucester  county,  and  the  legend,  should  any  specimen  fortunately 
be  discovered  to  supply  the  missing  portions,  may  prove  to  be,  (iLOVCKSTKR- 
CO-  HOUSE-  VIRGINIA-  ill  accordance  with  the  lavurilc  method,  (still  con- 
tinued,) ol'  naming  settlements  in  the  Sdulluiii  States,  where  many  an  insig- 
niticant  hanilcl  is  dignilied  by  the  ai)|>cllati(>n  id"  "  Court  House,"  or  "County 
House."' 


324 


THE   EARLY   COINS    OF   AMERICA. 


THE   GRANBY   OR  HIGLEY  TOKENS. 

The  Granby  or  Higley  Tokens  are  .supposed  to  have  been  struck  by 
John  Higley  of  Granby,  from  metal  obtained  from  the  mines  at  ''  Copper 
Hill "  in  that  town,  then  part  of  Simsbury,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut.  The 
authorities  appear  to  have  taken  no  notice  of  his  issues  of  coin,  which  seem 
to  have  continued  for  about  three  years,  —  from  1737  to  1739  inclusive,  — 
specimens  being  extant  beai'ing  these  dates,  though  we  know  of  none  dated 
1738. 

TYPE  NO.  1.  OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  deer,  standing,  facing  left. 

Legend, —  •  U^"^  the-  valve-  of-  three-  pence. 

REVEKSE  A. 

Device,  —  Three  hammers,  each  bearing  a  crown. 
Legend, —  -^  connecticvt  .    1737  .   ) 

Of  this  type  there  are  two  obverse  dies,  which  are  shown  on  plate  VIII. 
IN^os.  17  and  18.  The  principal  ditferences  in  these  may  be  seen  in  the 
positions  of  the  ground  lines  on  which  the  deer  stands,  and  of  the  word 
"three,"  which  in  Xo.  18,  rests  upon  the  curved  line  below:  Bolen's  is  a 
copy  of  this  variety.  Both  obverse  dies  are  found  with  reverse  A  ;  we  have 
heard  of  four  specimens  of  this  type,  but  can  place  only  those  of  Messrs. 
Appleton  and  Parmelee. 


TYPE  NO.  2.     OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  deer,  standing,  facing  left. 

Legend,  —  2^"  valve  .  me  .  as  .  you  .  please  . 


In  exergue, 
beneath. 


The    Roman    numerals   III  within   scroll    work;    a  crescent 


REVERSE  B. 


Device,  —  Three  hammers,  each  bearing  a  crown. 
Legend, —  •  l^'    .  i  .  am  .  good 


o 
COPPER 


*  'tt 


PATTERNS  AND  TOKENS.  325 

Of  this  reverse  there  are  two  dies,  shown  on  j)laU'  VIII.  Xos.  19  and  20. 
The  principal  diflerence  is  in  the  spacing  of  the  characters.  One  die  of  the 
obverse  first  described  is  found  upon  two  specimens,  willi  one  of  these  reverse 
dies,  (plate  VIII.  No.  19,)  one  oJ"  which  belongs  to  C.  I.  Bushnell,  Esq., 
the  other,  to  the  writer.  The  other  die  of  reverse  B  is  found  only  with  the 
obverse  last  described,  and  upon  but  one  specimen,  which  is  owned  by  L.  G. 
Parmelee.  [Plate  VIII.  No.  20  and  Fig.  GG.]  We  recollect  no  other  instance 
where  both  forms  of  the  u  are  used  in  the  same  legend. 

TYPE  NO.  3.     OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  deer,  standing,  facing  left,  a  crescent  above. 

Legend,  —  IS^'  value  .  me  .  as  .  you  .  please  ^ 

In  exergue,  —  The  Roman  numerals  III  within  sci'oll  woi'k;  a  crescent 
beneath. 

Of  this  obverse  there  are  three  dies,  differing  principally  in  the  word 
"  please,"  and  in  the  positions  of  the  numerals.  In  one,  (plate  VIII.  Xo.  23, 
of  which  we  find  no  well  preserved  specimen,)  the  letters  P  L  are  near  together, 
the  L  low,  and  leaning  to  the  left:  the  top  of  none  of  the  numerals  join  the 
ground  line.  In  another,  (No.  24,)  the  letters  are  evenly  spaced,  and  the 
tops  of  the  first  and  third  numerals  join  the  line.  In  the  tliird,  (No.  25,)  the 
letters  plea,  are  widely  spaced,  and  the  tops  of  the  second  and  third  numerals 
join  the  line.  The  two  obverse  dies  first  described,  are  found  with  one  die  of 
reverse  B,  (plate  VIII.  Nos.  21  and  22,)  of  which,  perhaps  three  of  each  are 
known:  specimens  of  these  varieties  are  owned  by  Messrs.  Api)leton,  Brevoort, 
Parmelee,  and  by  the  writer.  All  three  dies  are  found  with  the  most  common 
reverse,  (C)  that  with  a  broad  axe  l>ut  no  date,  (plate  VHI.  Nos.  23,  21  and 
25  and  Fig.  G7,)  and  the  tliird,  with  the  reverse  of  1739. 

KEVERSE  C. 

Device,  —  A  broad  axe. 

Legend,  —  IW"  j  .  cut  .  my  .  way  .  tukougii  . 

1739. 

OBVKHSE. 

Device,  —  A  deer,  standing,  facing  left,  a  crescent  aliove. 
Legend,  —  Z!^^  value  .  me  .  as  .  you  .  please  ■?^ 

In  exergue,  —  The  Roman  numerals  111  within  scroll  work;  a  crescent 
beneath. 


326  THE    EARLY    COIlSrS    OF   AMEHICA. 

KEVERSE  D. 

Device,  —  A  broad  axe. 

Legend,  —  j  .  cut  .  my  .  way  .  through  .  1739  . 

The  borders  of  all  are  beaded,  or  milled,  and  the  edges  plain;  in  size 
they  vary  from  18  to  19,  and  their  weight  varies  from  122  to  ] 70  grains:  the 
heaviest  specimen  is  one  of  1739,  owned  by  Mr.  Appleton.  Two  other 
impressions  from  these  dies  are  known,  one  belonging  to  Mr.  Bnshnell,  the 
other  to  the  present  writer. 

Several  of  these  tokens  are  donble  struck,  apparently  by  accident,  as  the 
second  impression  is  often  visible  only  at  one  edge;  this  in  one  instance  causes 
the  first  letter  of  the  obverse  legend  to  resemble  a  W,  thus  reading  "  walue," 
which  it  certainly  was  never  intended  to  do.  Mr.  l*armelee  has  the  piece 
here  referred  to. 

It  has  been  said  that  these  wei-e  the  work  of  Dr.  Samuel  Higley,  a  physi- 
cian and  blacksmith  :  as  he  was  not  living  in  1737,  this  must  be  an  error. 

It  is  stated  by  Phelps,  in  his  History  of  the  Copper  Mines  at  Granby,  that 
"  this  coin  is  said  to  have  passed  for  two  and  six  pence,  (forty-two  cents,) 
in  paper  currency  it  is  pi-esumed,  though  composed  chiefly,  if  not  entirely,  of 
copper." 

These  coppers,  owing  to  the  fine  quality  of  the  metal  of  \vhich  they  were 
composed,  were  much  in  favor  as  an  alloy  for  gold,  and  it  is  pi'obably  due  in 
part  to  this  cause  that  they  are  now  so  extremely  rare.  We  are  informed  of 
an  old  goldsmith,  aged  about  seventy-five  years,  that  during  his  apprentice- 
ship, his  mastei"  excused  himself  for  not  having  finished  a  string  of  gold  beads 
at  the  time  appointed,  as  he  was  unable  to  find  a  Higley  copper  with  which 
to  alloy  the  gold;  thus  indicating  that  they  were  not  easily  obtained  sixtj' 
years  ago. 

We  have  heard  it  related  of  Higley,  that  being  a  freqnent  visitant  at  the 
public  house,  where  at  that  time  liquors  wei'e  a  common  and  unj^rohibited 
article  of  tralfic,  he  was  accustomed  to  pay  his  "  scot "  in  his  own  coin,  and 
the  cofi'ei-s  of  the  dram-seller  soon  became  overburdened  with  this  kind  of 
cash,  (an  experience  not  at  all  likely  to  cause  troul)le  to  collectors  of  the 
pi-esent  day,)  of  the  type  which  proclaims  its  own  value  to  be  equal  to 
what  was  then  the  ])rice  of  a  "■  potation,"  —  three  pence. 

When  complaint  was  made  to  Higley,  upon  his  next  application  for 
entertainment,   which   was   after    a    somewhat    longer    absence    than   was   usual 


PATTERNS   AND    TOKENS.  327 

with  him,  he  presented  coppers  hearing  the  words,  "Vahie  me  as  you  please" 
"  I  am  good  copper  ". 

Whether  this  "change  of  hase"  facilitated  the  financial  designs  of  the 
ancient  coiner,  or  not,  we  have  never  been  informed  :  sui-e  we  are  however, 
that  should  he  be  aware  of  the  innnense  appreciation  in  the  value  of  his 
coppers,  bince  that  day,  it  would  amply  reward  liim  for  the  insulting  conduct 
of  the  publican. 

We  cannot  vouch  for  the  truth  of  tliis  "  legend,"  but  we  believe  those 
first  issued  bore  the  words,  "  The  value  of  three  pence,"  and,  whatever  the 
cause,  subsequent  issues  more  modestly  requested  the  public  to  value  them 
according  to  their  own  ideas  of  propriety,  although  they  did  not  refrain  from 
afterwards  proclaiming  their  own  merits. 

We  extract  the  following  information  relating  to  the  place  where  the 
metal  for  these  coppers  was  obtained,  from  Phelps's  History  of  the  Copper  Mines 
and  Newgate  Prison  at  Granby,  Conn: — "Aftei-  1721,  when  a  division  of  the 
mining  lands  took  place  among  the  lessees,  each  company  worked  at  sepai-ate 
mines,  all  situated  upon  copper-hill,  and  (excepting  Higley's)  within  the  com- 
pass of  less  than  one  mile.  *  *  *  At  Higley's  mine,  wiiich  lies  aboTit  a  mile 
and  a  half  south  of  tliis,  extensive  old  workings  exist,  though  conniienced  at  a 
later  period  than  the  others.  Mr.  Edmund  Quincy,  of  Boston,  had  a  conqjany 
ol' miners  working  at  this  place  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  revolution; 
soon  aftfi-  which  the  works  were  abandoned." 

At  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  in  October,  1773,  "  an  Act  was 
passed  'constituting  the  subterraneous  caverns  and  buildings  in  the  copinr 
mines  in  Simsbury,  a  public  gaol  and  workhouse  for  the  use  of  tiie  Colony;' 
to  which  was  given  the  name  of  Newgate  Pr!s<ni.  The  prisonei-s  wei'e  to  be 
emi)loyed  in  mining.  The  crimes,  which  by  tiie  Act  subjected  offenders  to 
confinemenl  and  ialxn-  in  (lie  prison,  wei'e  burglary,  horse  stealing,  and  counter- 
feiting the   public  l)ills  or  coins,  or  making  instruments  or  dies  tluM-elbr." 

As  a  prison,  this  locality  appeal's  to  have  been  no  less  a  lailui'c  than  it  was 
as  a  mining  sj)eculation.  'I'lic  buildings  were  three  times  destroyed  by  tire, 
and  revolts,  violence,  and  escapes  were  of  frequent  occurrence  uj)  to  the  time 
of  its  abandomnent,  in  1827,  when  it  had  been  in  use  as  a  prist)n  lor  upwards 
of  fifty  years. 


328 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


CHALMERS'  ANNAPOLIS  TOKENS. 

In  1783  a  goldsmith  of  Annapolis,  Maryland,  issned  silver  tokens  as  a 
speculative  venture  of  his  own.  They  consisted  of  shillings,  sixpences  and 
threepences,  and  are  all  now  very  rare,  the  two  smaller  pieces   especially  so. 

The  shilling-  first  to  be  described  is  snpposed  to  be  nniqne. 


THE    C'lIAL^IEKS   SHILLING. 
OBVERSE. 

Centre,  —  EqUOl  fO  One  Shi     Above  is  a  branch,  below,  two  hands  clasped. 

Legend,  —  i.  Chalmers   *  anxai'OI.is  *  1783  H 

Border,  —  Finely  milled. 

reverse. 

Device,  —  A  chain  of  twelve  rings  linked  regularly,  another  ring  inter- 
linked with  the  three  lower  rings,  the  middle  one  supporting  a  staff  with 
liberty  cap,  above  which  is  an  eye:  eleven  of  the  rings  enclose  each  a  mullet, 
and  at  each  side  of  the  liberty  cap  is  a  mullet. 

Border.  —  Beaded.     Size,  —  13.     See  Figure  iiS. 

The  centre  of  the  obverse  is  vei-y  indistinct,  but  faintly  shows  the  inscrip- 
tion, in  three  lines,  "Ecpial  to  One  Shi"  At  the  sale  of  the  Miekley  collection, 
(No.  2527,)  it  brought  fifty  dollars:  as  its  present  owner  is  unknown  to  us, 
no  further  particulai's  regarding  it  can  be  given.  The  following  are  descriptions 
of  the  more  common  varieties  of  these  tokens. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Two  hands  clasped,  within  a  wreath. 
Legend,  —  i.  Chalmers,  ajstnapolis.  * 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  Within  a  beaded  and  lined  circle  is  a  field  divided  by  a  hori- 
zontal bar.  On  the  superior  portion  of  the  field  is  a  serpent,  and  on  the  inferior, 
two  doves  holding  in  their  beaks  a  branch. 

Legend,  —  of?  oxe  *  shilling  -J:  1783. 

Borders  and  edge,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  llh-     Weight, — 57  grains. 
[Plate   IX.  Nos.  5  and  6,  and  Fig.   69.] 


PATTERNS  AND  TOKENS. 


329 


There  are  two  dies  of  this  reverse,  not  greatly  diflfering:  in  the  more 
common,  (plate  IX.  No.  5,)  the  bar  lies  between  N  and  X,  and  in  the  rarer 
variety,  (plate  IX.  Xo.  6,)  between  X  and  I:  the  character  following  ''one" 
also  diifers  fi'om  that  of  the  other,  being  here  a  group  of  eight  points. 


THE   CHALMERS  SIXPENCE. 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  mullet,  within  a  wreath. 
Legend,  -^  i  •  Chalmers  .  annapolis  . 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  cross   with  hands  clasped  on  the  centre,  two  arms  terminat- 
ing in  crescents  and  two  in  stars.     In  each  angle  of  the  cross  is  a  leaf. 

Legend,  —  i.  c.  six  pence  1783. 

Borders  and  edge,  —  Milled.     Size,  — 11.     Weight,  —  28  grains. 

"We  find  also  two  dies  of  this  reverse,  differing  principally  in  the  size  of 
the  letters,  but  only  a  single  die  of  either  of  the  obverses. 

[riutf   IX.  Nos.  7  and  8,  and  Fig.   70.] 


THE   CHALMERS   THREEPENCE. 

OliVEKSE. 

Device,  —  Two  hands  clasped. 
Legend,  —  i.  chalmers  .  annap'?  * 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bi'aneli  encircled  by  a  wreath. 


Legend, 


THREE   «•    PENCE  •    1783   . 


Borders   and  edge,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  8. 


12  grains. 


and 


tiial 


us 


Weight, 
[I'l.-iic   IX.   No.  0,  .■md    Imu'.   71. 1 

It    may   be    that     the    edges   wvw    not    iMtcntidiially   millet 
appearance  arises  from  the  mannci-  of  cutting  the  jjlanchets. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Joseph  J.  Mickley  of  rhiladelphia,  i\<v  tiic  lol- 
lowing  translation  from  the  German,  of  an  account  of  the  Chalmers  coinage, 
by  Doctor  John  David  Schopf,  who  travelled  in  this  country  in  1783  and  1784. 

"In   the  United  States,  Aiuiapolis  has  the   hoiKir  of  having   luniislicd   the 


330  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

first  silver  money  for  small  change.  A  goldsmith  of  this  place  coins  on  his 
own  account,  thongh  with  the  consent  of  the  Govei-nment.  After  the  depre- 
ciation of  the  jiaper  money  it  became  customary,  and  necessary,  throughout 
America,  to  cut  the  Spanish  dollars  in  two,  four,  and  more  pieces  for  change. 
This  dividing  became  soon  a  profitable  business  in  the  hands  of  expert  cutters, 
who  knew  how  to  cut  five  quarters,  or  nine  and  ten  eighths,  out  of  a  round 
dollar,  so  that  shortly  every  one  refused  to  take  this  kind  of  money  othei'wise 
than  by  weight,  or  at  discretion.  To  get  over  this  embarrassment  the  said 
goldsmith  assists  in  getting  these  angular  pieces  out  of  circulation,  by  taking 
them  in  exchange,  with  a  considerable  advantage  to  himself,  for  pieces  of  his 
own  coinage."  The  work  from  which  the  above  account  is  taken  is  considered 
as  reliable,  but  we  find  no  proof  that  this  coinage  was  issued  by  consent  of  the 
Government,  and  pei-haps  the  author  intended  no  more  than  to  convey  the 
idea  that  the  Government  tacitly  allowed  it. 


THE   BALTIMOKE    TOWX   THREEPENCE. 

A  curious  little  silver  token,  of  which  we  have  no  history,  is  supposed  to 
have  made  its  appeai-ance  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  1790.  It  is  apparently  a 
private  issue,  by  Standish  Barry,  and  represents  the  value  of  three  pence.  A 
curious  feature  in  this  token  is  the  preciseness  of  its  date — July  4  90  •  ; 
Whether  any  especial  celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  American  independence 
was  observed  in  1790,  is  unknown  to  us:  if  there  was,  this  silver  token  was 
probably  issued  in  commemoi-ation  of  that  event. 


OBVEKSE. 

Device,  —  A  head,  facing  left,  within  a  plain  circle. 
Legend,  —  Baltimore  .  town  •  july  •  4  •  90  • 

HEVERSE. 

Inscription,  —  three  pence  within  a  plain  circle. 
Legend,  —  standish-  barry  .  entwined  in  a  beaded  network. 
Borders  and  edge,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  9.     Weight,  —  13  grains. 

[Plato  X.  Xo.  23,  aii.l  Fig.  '±] 


PATTERNS   AND    TOKENS. 


331 


THE  NOVA  CONSTELLATIO  COPPERS. 

This  is  a  series  of  tokens  struck  in  England  lor  use  in  America.  It 
comprises  several  vaiieties,  specimens  of  most  of  which  are  often  found, 
though  some  of  them  are  very  rare. 

But  little  is  known  of  the  history  of  these  tokens.  The  most  that  can 
be  learned  in  relation  to  them  is  contained  in  the  following  extract  from 
Bushneirs  Xumismatic  Notes  in  manuscript: — "The  Nova  Constellatios  were 
made  in  Birmingham,  in  England,  and  the  dies  were  cut  by  Wyon,  of  that 
place.  Over  forty  tons  were  issued  from  one  die  alone,  and  many  more  from 
another.  They  were  manufactui-ed  by  order  of  a  gentleman  of  New  York, 
who  is  believed  to  have  been  Gouverneur  Morris." 

We   shall    give   a   description   of  only    one    of  these   pieces    for   each   year, 
1783,  1785,  and  178(5,  leaving  the  dies  to  be  described  in  the  tables  of  varieties. 


73 


1783. 

OBVEliSE. 

Device,  —  An  eye  on  a  plain  field,  within  a  glory  of  thirteen  points,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 
Legend.  —  nova  •  constellatio  • 

HKVEKSE. 

Device,  —  U  •  S  in  large  Roman  cai)itals,  encircli'd  by  a  wreath. 
Legend,  —  libehtas  ♦  JUSTrriA  •  1783  • 

Bordeis,  —  Usually  milled,  sometimes  serrated.     Edges,  —  Plain. 
,Size,  — 162   to  18.     Weight, —  117,  to  138  grains. 

(riatc  VII.   Nos.  25,  '26,  aii.l  27,  an.l  Kigs.  73  aii.i  74.J 

178.>. 
OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  eye  on  a   plain   licld,  within  a  glory  of  thirteen  j)oint8,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stars. 
Legend,  —  nova  constellatio 


332 


THE    EAKLY    COINS   OF    AMEKICA. 


1783. 

OBVERSES. 

Legend. 

Long  Rays  of  Glorj' 

Two  Rays  point 

No. 

With 
Reverse. 

Rarity. 

NOVA  ■  CONSTELLATIO  • 

NOVA  ■  CONSTELLATIO  ♦ 
NOVA  •  CONSTELATIO  + 

Heavy,  points  fine. 
Liglit,  points  fine. 
Heavy,  cuneifonn. 

•lust  left  of  N,  and  right  of  A. 
Just  left  of  N,  and  at  right  foot  of  A. 
At  N,  and  just  to  right  of  A. 

I: 

3. 

A. 
B. 
C. 

R3. 

C. 
R. 

1785. 

Legend 


Long  Rays  of  Glorj' 


T\**o  Rays  i>o1nt 


«»•    iK^y^e.^"^- 


NOVA  •  CONSTELATIO  + 
NOVA   (■(  )NSTELLATIO 
NOVA   CONSTELLATIO 

NOVA   CONSTELLATIO 

NOVA   CONSTELLATIO 


Same  die  with  last. 
Points  blunt. 
Points  fine. 


Points 
Points 


blunt, 
blunt. 


At  N,  and  just  to  right  of  A.  ! 

At  left  foot  of  N,  and  right  foot  of  A. 
At  left  foot  of  N,  and  right  foot  of  A. 

Just  left  of  N,  and  at  right  foot  of  A. 

At  O,  and  at  left  foot  of  A. 


1. 

2. 
3! 

4. 


B. 

A. 
B. 
C. 
D. 
E. 


R3. 

R*. 

C. 

R5. 

R6. 

R*. 


1786. 


Legend. 


Long  Rays  of  Glory 


NOVA  CONSTELLATIO  Points  blunt. 


Two  Rays  point 


Just  left  of  N,  and  right  of  A. 


With 
Reverse. 


A. 


Rarity. 


R5. 


REVERSE. 

Device,  —  U  S  in  script  monogram,  encircled  by  a  wreath. 
Legend,  —  libertas  et  justitia  •  1785  • 

Borders,  —  Usually  milled,  but  on  some  serrated.     Edges,  —  Plain. 
Size,— 165  to  18.     AVeight,— From  108,  to  127  grains. 
[Platu  VII.  Nos.  28,  anil  29,  and  Figs.  75,  76  and  77.] 


One    die,   which    is    used  in  both   Xo.    3,    of  1783,  and    Xo.  1,   of  1785, 
(see  Figs.  74  and  75,)  has  the  legend  spelled  nova  •  coN.STELATro  + 


PATTERNS    AND    TOKENS. 


333 


1783.     REVERSES. 


Legend  and  Date. 

Wreath  of 

u  s 

No. 

With 
Obverse. 

Sarity. 

LIBEKTAS  ♦  jrSTITIA     ■  178:5  • 
LIBERT  AS  ♦  .lUSTlTIA     •  178,5  • 
LIBEKTAS  +  JUSTITIA    •  1783  • 

24  pairs. 
24  pairs. 
23  pairs. 

Large. 
Smaller. 
Same  as  last. 

A. 
B. 
C. 

1. 
2. 
3. 

K3. 

C. 

R. 

1785. 

Legend  and  Date. 

Wreath  of 

Leaves  of  Wreath 

No. 

With 
Obverse. 

Rarity. 

LIBEKTAS   ET   .JUSTITIA       1785 

LIBEKTAS   ET   JUSTITIA    •  17^5  ■ 

LIBEKTAS    ET   .JUSTITIA       1785  • 
LIBEKTAS   ET   .JUSTITIA    ■  1785  • 
LIBEKTAS   ET   JUSTITIA    •  17*5  • 

.30  pairs. 

30  pairs. 

.'JO  pairs. 
29  pairs. 
26  pairs. 

All  separate  at  points. 

Four  to  six  joined  by  a  break. 

Two  over  U  join. 

Two  over  U  and  tliree  over  S,  join. 

Five  at  left  of  U,  close. 

A. 

B. 

C. 
U. 
E. 

2. 

U: 

4. 
4. 
5. 

R4. 

f: 

RS. 

R6. 

R4. 

1786. 

Legend  and  Date. 

Wreath  of 

Leaves  of  Wreath 

No. 

With 
Obverse. 

Rarity. 

LIBEKTAS   ET   JUSTITIA    •  1786  • 

23  pairs. 

All  separate. 

A. 

1. 

RB. 

A  mai'ked  difference  exists  between  the  libertas  kt  justitia  die  found 
with  the  Confedei-atio  obverse,  (Plate  VII.  ]S[o.  10,)  and  these  dies.  In  the 
Ibrmer  the  curve  of  the  U  coils  ai-ound  the  body  of  the  S,  which  we  have 
seen  in  no  other  die.     This  piece  is  now  in  the  cabinet  of  the  writer. 

1780.     OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  eye  on  a  plain  held,  within  a  glory  of  thirteen  })oints,  the 
points  intersecting  a  circle  of  thirteen  stai's. 
Legend,  —  nova  oonstellatio 

KEVERSE. 

Device,  —  U  •  S  in  large  Koman  capitals,  encircled  by  a  wreath. 

Legend,  —  libertas  et  justitla  •  178(j  • 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Kdge,  —  Plain.     Weight,  —  123  grains. 

[Plate  VII.  No.  33.J 

I^ut  tv/o  iinpi-essions  from  the  dies  of  1780  have  come  to  our  knowledge: 
o\ie  of  these  is  owned  by  Mr.  Appletoii,  the  other  by  Mr.   Hushnell. 


THE  BAK  CENT,  OR  U  S  A  COPPER. 

This  is  another  piece  about  which  link'  is  known.  IJushnell  says  of  it, 
"This  copper  was  coined  in  liirminghain,  in  England,  in  the  year  1785,  and 
was  ])robably  tiic  work  of  Wyon.  The  obverse  U  S  A  is  the  same  as  the  device 
of  the   old    Continental    Bnttons,    having   been    copied    fi-oin    them.      'I'bis    no\  el 


334 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


piece  was  put  into  circulation  in  the  city  of  New  Yoi-k,  and  made  its  first 
appearance  there  in  the  month  of  November,  of  the  above  mentioned  year. 
On  account  of  its  light  weight,  as  well  as  its  device,  it  was  not  received  with 
favor,  and  was  not  extensively  circulated." 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  USA  in  large  Koman  monogram,  on  a  plain  field. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  Thirteen  horizontal  bars. 

Borders, — Serrated.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  — 15i.     Weight,— 85  grains. 

[Phite  IX.  No.  25,  anil  Fig.  78.] 


There  were  two  pairs  of  dies  for  this  token:  that  given  on  the  plate  is 
the  rarest  variety.  A  piece  somewhat  smaller  than  that  last  described,  was 
gotten  up  a  few  years  since,  and  has  by  some  been  believed  to  be  designed 
for  a  half  cent  of  the  same  type:  we  have,  however,  good  reason  to  suppose 
that  it  is  of  quite  recent  manufacture;  it  is  represented  by  Fig.  79. 


THE  MOTT  TOKENS. 

A  copper  token,  issued  in  the  year  1789,  by  the  Messrs.  Mott,  of  the  city 
of  New  York,  dealers  in  watches,  clocks  and  jewelry,  is  generally  conceded 
to  have  been  the  first  tradesman's  token  issued  in  America;  it  was  manu- 
factured in  England,  and  is  of  the  following  description: 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  old  style  of  clock,  with  an  eagle  perched  upon  its  top. 
Legend,  —  motts,  n.  y.  importers,  dealers,  manufacturers,  of  gold 

&    SILVER   WARES. 


PATTERNS   AND    TOKENS. 


335 


BE  VERSE. 

Device,  —  An  eagle  witli  wings  expanded,  facing  left.  In  his  right  talon 
he  holds  an  olive  branch  of  seven  leaves  and  four  berries,  and  in  his  left, 
three  arrows.  On  his  breast  is  a  shield  argent,  six  pales  gules,  a  chief  azure: 
above  his  head,  tbe  date,  — 1789 

Legend,  —  ciihoxometers,  clocks,  watches,  jeweluy,  silverware, 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  —  Usually  plain,  but  on  some,  milled. 

Size, —  17.      Weight, —  108  to  171  grains. 

[Plate  IX.  No.  17,  and  Fig.  80.j 

From  the  upper  left  hand  corner  of  the  clock,  a  heavy  break  is  seen 
upon  most  im])ressions,  though  some  are  found  without  the  break. 

Bushnell,  in  his  "Early  New  York  Tokens,"  states  regarding  the  Hrm 
that  issued  this  token,  "  The  firm  of  Motts  was  composed  of  William  and 
John  Mott,  and  their  place  of  business  was  at  No.  240  Water  street,  a  location 
at  which  they  continued  foi-  a  number  of  years,  and  which  was  at  the  time 
a  most  fashionable  business  part  of  the  city." 

TALBOT,  ALLUM  &  LEE. 

The  next  enterprise  of  the  same  character  with  that  of  the  Motts'  token, 
apj)eais  to  have  been  the  tokens  issued  by  Talbot,  .\llum  and  Lee,  merchants 
in  the  India  ti-ade,  also  of  New  York  city.  This  hrm  put  into  circidation  a 
large  ([uantity  of  coppers  compi'ising  several  varieties,  and  of  the  dates  of  1794 
and  179o.     These  also  wei'e  of  Eny:lish  manufacture. 


17114.     OBVERSK. 

I)e\ice,  —  A  ship  sailing  toward   ihc   iit;hl.     Above  the  sliip,  nkw   voi.-k 
Legend,  —  talhot  .m.i.um  &    i-kk.     one  cent 

liKVKHSK. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty  standing  l)esi(lc  ;i  lialc  ol"  merchandise, 
sup])orting  the  liberty  staff  with  caj),  witli  lur  riglit  hand,  hw  Kit  ivsting 
u|)(Mi   a  ludder. 

Legend,  —  limehty  a  commerce. 


336  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMEKICA. 

In  exergue,  —  1794 

Edsfe, PAYABLE   AT   THE    STOKE   OF   -:-   -:-   -:-   -:- 

Borders,  —  Milled. 

1795.     OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  ship  under  full  sail  toward  the  right. 

Legend,  —  at  the  store  of  talbot  allum  .t  lee  new  yokk.  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  libeity  standing  beside  a  bale  of  merchandise, 
supporting  the  libeity  staff  with  cap,  with  her  right  hand,  her  left  resting  upon 
a  i-ndder. 

Legend,  —  liberty  >v   commerce 

In  exergue,  —  1795 

Edge, WE    PliOMISE    TO    PAY'    THE    BEARER    ONE    CENT  • 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  18.     Weight,  —  153  grains. 

[ri.iti-   IX.  Nos.   18,    I'J  and  -JO,  and  Figs.  SI  and  Si*.] 

Of  these  tokens  foi-  1794,  there  were  four  obverse,  and  two  reverse  dies. 
The  rarest  variety  may  be  distinguished  by  tlie  large  &  in  both  legends,  and 
the  alisence  of  the  words  Xew  York,  from  the  reverse.  One  variety  has  a 
large  it  in  the  legend  on  the  obverse  only,  and  the  bowsprit  of  the  ship  points 
just  forwai-d  of  the  last  E.  Both  the  other  obverses  have  a  small  (t  in  the 
legend:  in  one  tiie  bowsprit  points  at  the  last  E,  and  in  the  other  more 
nearly  at  tlu'  period.     The   I'cverse   found   willi   the   last   three,  has  a  small  &. 

Of  1795  we  have  ibund  but  one  pair  of  dies. 

Bushnell,  in  his  "Early  New  York  Tokens,"  says  of  these:  — "  The  dies 
of  the  two  lattei-  tokens  [those  of  1794  and  1795,]  wei-e  cut  at  Birmingham, 
m  England,  and  the  variety  bearing  the  date  of  1795  is  by  far  the  i-arest, 
fewer  of  that  die  having   been  struck." 

"The  names  of  the  individuals  composing  the  firm  of  Talbot,  Allum  ct  Lee 
were  William  Talbot,  William  Allum  and  James  Lee,  and  theii'  place  of  business 
was  at  !No.  241  Pearl  street.  They  were  extensively  engaged  in  the  India  trade 
—  at  that  time,  as  well  as  now,  a  very  lucrative  branch  of  mercantile  pursuit." 

"The  iirm  of  Talbot,  Allum  &  Lee  was  formed  in  1794,  and  continued 
until  the  year  179(3,  when  Mr.  Lee  retired  from  the  concern.  The  remaining 
partners  carried  on  the  business,  under  the  name  of  Tall)Ot  &  Allum,  until 
the  year  1798,   when  the  tirni  was  dissolved." 

Six  "mules"  with  leverses  of  these  tokens  are  described  in  Bushnelfs  work, 
but  as  they  bear  no  evidence  of  being  intended  for  America,  we  omit  them. 


PATTERNS   AND    TOKENS.  -337 

ANGLO-AMERICAN   TOKENS. 

The  tokens  thus  classed,  are  supposed  to  have  originated  in  England,  as 
speculative  ventures  of  some  of  the  engravers  of  that  country,  who  looked 
upon  America  as  a  favorable  market  for  the  products  of  theii-  enterprise. 

THE  CAROLINA  AND  NEW  ENGLAND  TOKENS. 

The  pieces  first  to  be  described  in  this  chapter  are  two  which  were  per- 
haps not  intended  ibr  cii-culation  as  currency,  but  are  introduced  here,  as 
no  more  appropriate  place  offers  foi-  their  insertion.  These  were  issued  in 
1694,  probably  in  London,  and  are  now  known  as  the  Carolina,  and  the  New 
England,  Elephant  tokens. 

They  were  struck  upon  copper  planchets  of  very  unequal  weight,  the 
New  England  token  in-  Mi-.  Appleton's  collection  weighing  236  grains,  while 
the  only  other  known,  Mr.  Parmelee's,  (which  is  somewhat  worn,)  is  much 
thinner,  and  weighs  but  133  grains  ;  the  Carolinas  are  more  regular  in  this 
respect,  their  weight   ranging  from  130  to  162  grains. 

It  is  not  known  whether  these  tokens  were  intended  to  serve  as  coins, 
or  were  struck  only  as  medals,  to  increase  or  perpetuate  the  interest  in  the 
American  Plantation ;  the  latter  seems  much  the  more  i-easonable  view  of  their 
purpose. 

Snelling,  writing  in  1769,  makes  no  mention  of  the  New  England  tokens, 
but  says  of  the  Carolina,  "  We  cannot  oni'selves  conceive  the  intent  of  striking 
it,  or  ibr  what  purpose  it  was  intended  ;  however,  we  think  it  has  no  claim  to 
be  admitted  as  a  piece  of  money,  l)ut  rather  is  of  the  ticket  kind,  and  we  are 
of  the  same  opinion  in  regard  to  aiiotlicr  piece,  which  is  certainly  of  the  same 
class  with  this;  l)e  it  what  it  will,  it  is  what  we  call  the  London  Halfpenny, 
one  side  of  both,  that  is  the  Elephant,  we  apprehend  was  struck  from  the 
same  dye,  which  is  still  reniuiiiing  in  the  Tower,  and  appears  to  be  the  work 
of  Kotiers  ;  on  the  other  side  instead  of  GOD  prkskkvk  cauomna  and  the 
LOJrDS  I'KOPKiETOKS  1694,  as  ujjon  this;  there  is  u})on  that,  i-onnd  the  city  arms, 
GOD  PKESEHVE  LONDON;  we  have  heard  two  oi-  thi-et'  opiuiniis  concerning  the 
intent  of  uttering  this  piece,  as  that  it  was  I'oi-  the  Lomloii  Workhouse;  also, 
that  its  inscription  alludes  to  tlic  plague,  and  was  struck  whilst  it  raged  in 
London;  a:id  we  have  likewise  heard  it  was  inti'iidcil  to  be  made  cin'i'cnt  at 
4\ingier  in   Africa,   but    never  took   place." 


338  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

CAROLINA. 

OBVEKSE. 

Device,  —  An  elephant  standing,  facing  the  left. 

REVERSE. 

Inscription,  —  god  :  preserve  :  Carolina  :  and  the  :  lords  :  rroprie- 
TERS  •   1(394 

Borders,  — Milled.      Edge,  — Plain.     Size,  — 18i.     Weight.  —  U3  grains. 

[Mate  IX.  No.   L] 

The  above  is  the  rarest  of  the  Carolina  tokens  ;  the  two  specimens  we 
know  of  are  in  the  collections  already  named  as  containing  the  Xew  England 
Elephant  tokens.  In  the  more  common  variety  of  this  token,  the  obverse 
closely  resembles  the  last,  but  the  elephant's  tusks  nearly  touch  the  milling, 
and  his  right  legs  are  more  smoothly  cut.  A  more  marked  difference  is  found 
on  the  reverse,  where,  though  the  same  die  is  used,  the  inscription  has  been 
altered  to  god  :  preserve  :  Carolina  :  and  the  :  lords  :  proprietors  •  169-1 
the  last  E  is  still  to  be  seen  under  the  o.  These  were  struck  on  copper 
planchets  of  fi-om  17  to  I83,  weighing  from  130  to  1(32  grains.  It  is  said  that 
they  were  struck  also  in  brass,  but  we  have  seen  none  in  that  composition. 

[Plate  IX.   No.  2.] 

NEW  ENGLAND. 

OBVEKSE. 

Device,  — An  elephant  standing,  facing  the  left. 

REVERSE. 

Inscription,  —  god:   preserve:   new:  England:   1694: 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  — Plain.     Size,  — 18^.    Weight,  — 133  and  236 

grains. 

The  obverses  of  the  N"ew  England   Elephant  token   and  ol"  the  Carolina 

last  described,  are  fi'om  the  same  die  with  that  of  the  London  tokens. 

[Plate  IX.  No.  3.] 

THE   VIKGI2^IA   HALFPENNIES. 

Under  the  heading  of  "Coins  for  the  Colonies,"  Ending  describes  the 
pieces  we  call  Virginia  half-pennies.  There  is  so  much  uncertainty  as  to 
whether,  or  not,  these  were  authorized  coins,  that  we  place  them  in  this  chaptei-, 
considering  it  altogether  likely  that  they  were  an  unauthorized  issue.  It  seems 
probable   that  had  thei-e  been  a  coin   legally   struck    and  issued   foi-  Vii-ginia, 


PLA^rh]    [X. 


1-^\S^ 


LOKl^OK 


iiKi  uir  vi'i-  i'\  I  KN  r 


PATTEHNS   AND    TOKENS. 


339 


Jefferson  would  have  been  cognizaiit  of  the  fact ;  but  he  writes  in  1782, 
(Jefferson's  Works,  Vol.  1,  p.  13G,)  ''  In  Virginia,  coppers  have  never  been  in 
use."  From  this  it  would  appear  that  wliatever  their  origin,  and  notwithstand- 
ing the  considerable  number  of  dies  represented  by  them,  their  use  in  that 
State  must  have  been  very  limited. 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  George  III.  laureated,  facing  right. 
Legend,  —  georgivs  •  iii  •  hex  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  ornamental  and  crowned  shield,  emblazoned  quarterly  :  — 
1,  England  impaling  Scotland;  2,  France;  3,  Ireland;  4,  the  Electoral  domin- 
ions. 

Legend,  —  virgi     nia-  The  shield  divides  the  legend. 

Date, —  17     73'  The  crown  divides  the  date. 

Border,  — Milled.  Edge,  — Plain.  Size,  —  15i  to  17.  Weight,  110  to 
123  grains. 

[Plate  IX.  Nos.  10,  11  and  12,  and  Fig.   83.] 

In  one  variety  of  this,  the  legend  of  the  obverse  is  found  without  the 
point  after  georgivs.  Several  dies  are  found  of  both  varieties,  and  we 
should  judge  that  about  twenty  pairs  of  dies  must  have  been  used  upon  them: 
the  differences,  however,  are  so  slight,  as  to  render  it  useless  to  attempt  a 
table  of  dies,  as  they  consist  principally  of  dilferent  spacings  in  the  legends, 
and  jjliglit  differences  in  the  position  of  the  points. 

The  largest  piece  is  quite  rare,  and  is  sometimes,  we  think  without  good 
reason,  called  a  penny.     It  weighs  131  grains. 

The  pieces  described  above  are  struck  in  c-opper;  but  specimens  of  a 
similar  design,  dated  1774,  exist  in  silver. 

These  may  have  been  issued  as  patterns  I'oi-  a  silvci-  coin  for  lliis  State. 
They  are  extremely  rare,  but  three  specimens  being  known  to  us  :  these  are 
owned  by  Messrs.  Henry  S.   Adams,  Chas.  I.  Bushnell,  and  L.  G.  Parmelee. 


840 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  George  III.  laureated,  facing  right. 
Legend,  —  georgivs  •  iii         dei  •  gratia  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  ornamental  and  crowned  shield,  emblazoned  quarterly:  — 
1,  England  impaling  Scotland;  2,  France;  3,  Ireland;  4,  the  Electoral  do- 
minions. 

Legend,  —  virgi     nia  •       The  shield  divides  the  legend. 

Date,  — 17     74         The  crown  divides  the  date. 

Borders  and  edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  10.     Weight,  —  84  grains. 

[Plate  IX.  No.   13,  an.l  Fig.   84.] 


THE   NOVA   EBORACS. 

The  tokens  next  to  be  described  are  commonly  known  as  N'ew  York 
coppers.  They  were  not  issued  by  authority  of  that  State,  but  have  probably 
derived  their  name  only  from  the  legends  and  shield  upon  tliem. 


OBVERSE   NO.  1. 

Device,  —  A  bust  fticing  right,  laureated,  and  mailed. 
Legend,  —  ♦  xova  *      eborac  ♦ 

REVERSE  A. 

Device,  —  The  goddess  of  liberty  seated  upon  a  globe,  lacing  right,  with 
the  New  York  shield  beside  her,  holding  in  her  left  hand  an  olive  branch, 
and  supporting  the  staff  of  liberty  with  her  right. 

Legend,  —  *  virt         et  •  lib  ♦ 


In  exergue. 


1787 


PATTERNS  AND  TOKENS.  341 

Of  these  tokens  there  are  four  varieties,  all  having  the  New  York  shield 
on  the  reverse  beside  the  goddess,  who,  on  all  that  follow,  faces  the  left  :  that 
described  above  is  the  most  common:  the  legends  of  the  others  are  given 
below,  in  the  order  of  their  rai'ity. 

NO.  2. 

Obverse  No.  1,  —  *nova*      eborac*     (The  same  die  with  the  first.) 
Ke verse  B,  —  ♦  virt  .  et         lib  ♦  Liberty  faces  the  left. 

NO.  3. 

Obverse  No.  2,  —  ♦  ♦  nova         eborac  ♦ 

Reverse  C, — ♦virt  .  et         lib.  ♦  Liberty  faces  the  left. 

NO.  4. 

Obverse  No.  3,  —  ♦  nova     ♦     eborac  ♦ 

Reverse  D,  —  -:•  virt  .  et  .      lib  •:-  Liberty  faces  the  left. 

The  four  varieties  are  represented  on  Plate  VIII.  by  Nos.  lU,  11,  9  and 
12,  respectively:  the  first  three  by  Figs.  85,  8G,  and  87. 

The  borders  of  Nos.  1  and  2,  are  usually  found  plain,  but  sometimes 
show  a  slight  milling;  the  reverse  of  No.  3,  and  both  sides  of  No.  4,  have 
milled  borders.  The  edges  of  all  are  plain.  The  weight  of  Nos.  1  and  2 
is  about  112  grains,  No.  3,  120  grains,  and  No.  4,  from  120  to  142  grains. 

Of  No.  4  we  have  seen  but  three  specimens,  owned  by  Messrs.  Appleton, 
Bushnell,  and  Parmelee. 

All  of  these  tokens  are  supposed  to  be  of  English  origin,  l)ut  we  have 
no  authentic  information  regarding  their  issue  ;  they  probably  were  a  private 
speculation  of  some  English  merchant. 

THE   GEORGIVS   TRIUMPHO. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  head,  laureated,  lacing  right. 
Legend,  —  georgivs  •  triumriio  • 

reverse. 
Device,  —  The    goddess    of   liberty    facing    left,   behind    a    framework     of 
thirteen  bars  with  a  lleur-de-lis  at  each  corner.      In  her  right   hand   slu-   holds 
an  olive  branch,  and  her  left  supports  the  staff  of  liberty. 
Legend,  —  voce  I'opoli 
In  exergue,  — 1783 

holders,  — Milled.     Edge,  — Plain.     Size,  — 18.     Weight,— 117  grains. 

jl'hiic  IX.  No.   14. j 


342  THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

Great  difterences  of  opinion  have  been  occasioned  by  this  token,  most 
collectors  considering  it  as  having  reference  to  George  Washington,  as  the 
Triumphant  Geoi'ge,  and  some  have,  on  that  account,  placed  it  among  the 
Washington  pieces,  while  others  insist  that  George  the  Third  was  the  person 
referred  to,  and  in  proof  of  theii'  position  they  adduce  the  resemblance  of  the 
head  to  that  upon  some  of  his  coins.  It  is  true  that  the  head  bears  a  strong 
resemblance  to  that  upon  some  coins  of  Geoi'ge  III.,  but  it  is  not  probable 
that  this  resemblance  was  intentional.  It  is  more  likely  that  the  die  was  cut 
by  an  artist,  who,  having  a  hub  of  the  head  of  King  George,  used  it  in  making 
this  die,  regardless  of  the  want  of  correspondence  between  the  head  and  the 
legends:  or  it  may  have  been  left  with  an  ambiguous  character,  in  order  to 
obtain  foi*  it  a  more  extensive  circulation. 

We  know  of  no  occasion  at  the  date  of  this  token,  to  claim  any  triumph 
for  King  George,  but  a  triumph  may  justly  be  claimed  for  Washington,  in 
the  successful  termination  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  by  which  the  independ- 
ence of  the  United  States  was  secured. 

We  consequently  consider  the  Georgivs  Trimnpho  a  token  intended  to 
commemorate  this  result,  and  designed  for  circulation  in  this  country. 

THE   AUCTOKI   PLEBIS. 

The  Auctori  Plebis  is  a  token  of  English  origin,  which  from  its  resem- 
blance to  the  coins  of  Connecticut,  is  by  many  classed  Avith  the  issues  of 
that  State.  We  are  in  ignorance  as  to  its  maker,  but  as  the  piece  is  repre- 
sented in  a  book  of  engravings  of  English  tokens,  entitled  "  The  Virtuoso's 
Companion,"  published  in  England  in  1796,  we  consider  the  place  of  its  origin 
satisfactorily  established,  and  it  was  probably  struck  for  use  in  America. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bust,  facing  left,  laureated  and  draped. 
Legend,  —  •  auctori:  •     •  plkbis:  • 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A    female    seated,    her    left    arm    I'esting    upon    an    anchor,   her 
right  hand  upon  a  globe;  at  her  feet  is  a  lion. 
Legend,  —  o  indep  :     et  •  liber  o 
In  exergue,  — 1787 
Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  —  Plain.     Size, —  17.     AVeight,  — 116  grains. 

[Plate  IX.  No.   15.] 
The  device  of  this  reverse  is  found  upon  three  other  English  tokens. 


PATTERNS  AND  TOKENS.  343 

We  have  seen  two  pieces  Avith  the  head  faehig  I'ight,  bearing-  the  same 
legend  with  the  obverse  of  this,  but  as  their  reverses  bear  a  harp,  and  the 
legend  and  date,  hispaniola  •  1736  we  of  course  do  not  class  them,  as  some 
have  done,  with  tokens  intended  for  America.  This  mention  of  them  is 
inserted,  as  we  have  heard  of  two  impressions  from  the  oljverse  dies,  the 
reverses  of  which  have  been  o])literated,  probably  by  attrition,  and  which  from 
the  legend  have  been  considered  I'are  varieties  of  the  piece  just  described. 


THE   KENTUCKY   TOKENS. 

The  first  of  these,  which  is  known  as  the  Kentuckj'  "  Triangle,"  or 
"Pyramid  token,"  is  also  represented  in  "The  A^irtuoso's  Companion,"  and  is 
supposed  to  have  originated  in  Lancaster,  England.  The  name  of  this  State 
is  applied  to  it  from  the  circumstance  that  the  initial  K  appears  upon  the 
star  at  the  top  of  the  pyramid. 

OBVEKSE. 

Device,  —  A  hand  holding  a  scroll  inscril)ed,  ovn  cause  is  just 
Legend,  —  unanimity  is  the  strength  of  society  + 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  radiant  triangular  pyramid  of  fifteen  stars    united  by  rings, 
each  star  bearing  the  initial  of  a  State,  that  of  Kentucky  at  the  top. 
Legend,  —  e  pluribus  unum  * 
Borders,  — Milled.     Size,  — 18  to  19^     Weight,  — 155  to  192  grains. 

[I'lalf  IX.  No.  26.] 

The  edges  of  some  oi"  these  are  plain,  others  are  lettered,  "payable  in 
LANCASTER  LONDON  OR  BRISTOL"  and  we  have  lu'ai'd  of  ditt'ei-ent  lettering, 
but  can  of  our  own  knowledge  give  no  other  llian  the  above.  The  Clay 
Catalogue,  Nos.  298  and  299,  designates  difl'erent  idges,  —  viz:  "Payable  at 
Bedworth,  etc."  and  "engrailed." 

TIIK    MVDDK.r.TOX    ToKKNS. 

These  two  most  lieauliliilly  executed  tokens  relating  to  Kentucky,  were 
from  the  establishment  of  Boulton  and  Watt,  near  Birmingham,  England. 
Of  their  history  we  know  nothing,  and  can  thei'elbre  give  only  a  desci-iption 
of  them. 


344 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  Hope,  beside  an  anchor,  presenting-  two  cliilclren  to  a  female 
whose  right  hand  is  extended  to  receive  them,  while  her  left  supports  the 
staff  with  liberty  cap:  before  her  is  an  olive  branch  and  wreath,  and  behind 
her  a  cornucopia. 

Legend,  —  bkitish  settlement  Kentucky. 

In  exergue,  — 1796. 

REVERSE  A. 

Device,  —  Britannia,  with  head  bowed,  her  spear  inverted;  a  bundle  of 
fasces,  the  scales  of  justice,  and  a  broken  sword  at  her  feet,  while  before 
her  the  cap  of  liberty  rises  from  the  earth. 

Legend,  —  payable  by  p  •  p  •  p  •  myddelton. 

Borders,  — Milled.  Edge,  —  Plain.  Size,  — 18.  AVeight,  —  silver,  175 
grains;  copper,  177  grains 

reverse  b. 

Liscription,  —  copper  company  of  upper  canada  within  a  plain  circle. 

Legend,  —  one  half  penny  • 

Borders  and  edge  as  preceding.     Size,  —  18.     Weight,  —  166  grains. 
[Plate  IX.   Xos.  -i-i  ;iiid  23,  :uu\  Figs.   88  ami  89.] 


The  I'evei-se  last  described  i.s  that  which  properly  belongs  upon  another 
token,  appai-ently  intended  for  Canadian  circulation,  the  obverse  of  which  has 
for  a  device, — a  figure  of  Neptune  reclining  against  a  watei'  conduit;  legend, 
— fertilitatem  divitias  que  circumferremus  •  and  the  date, — 1794  It  is 
a  very  rare  token,  and  we  have  seen  it  only  in  Mi-.  Parmelee's  collection. 

The  obverse  die  is  found  with  i-everse  A,  both  in  silver  and  copper,  but 
with  reverse  B,  in  coj^per  only.     They  are  all  very  rare. 

From  the  legends  of  the  reverses  it  would  appear  that  these  were  designed 
to  serve  as  a  token  currency;  but  what  value  those  in  silver  were  intended 
to  represent,  is  uncertain.  In  beauty  of  design  and  execution,  these  tokens 
are  unsurpassed  by  any  piece  issued  for  American  cii'culation. 


PATTERNS   AND    TOKENS. 


345 


THE   FRANKLIN  PRESS. 

This  may,  perhaps,  be  more  properly  ranked  as  an  English  token,  but  as 
it  has  so  evident  an  allusion  to  an  eminent  American,  and  has  so  long  been 
accorded  a  place  in  collections  of  Amei-ican  coins,  we  shall  here  describe  it. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  printing  press,  of  old  style. 

Legend,  —  sic  okitur  doctrina  surgetque  libertas  • 

In  exergue,  — 1794 

REVEKSE. 

The  inscription,  —  payable  at  the  franklin  press  London  • 
Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  — Plain.     Size,  — IT^.      Weight,  — 120  grains. 

[Plate  IX.  No.   16.] 


TOKENS   OF  UNCERTAIN   DATE,  ORIGIN  AND  PLTIPOSE. 

The  tokens  next  to  be  considered  are  two  about  which  nothing  can  be 
written,  not  founded  entirely  upon  conjecture.  Both  appear  to  be  of  Dutch 
origin,  are  quite  rude  in  their  design  and  workmanship,  and  were  probably 
struck  late  in  the  seventeenth,  or  early  in  the  eighteenth  century. 

THE   NEW    YOKKE   TOKEN. 

The  first  of  these  is  called  the  New  Yorke  Token,  and  has  until  quite 
recently  been  considered  unique,  but  within  three  years,  three  new  sjiecimcns 
have  been  discovei-ed  ;  two  of  these  are  owned  in  Boston,  Mr.  A])pleton 
having  one  in  lead,  and  Mr.  Parmelee  one  in  brass.  The  other  specimen  is 
in  lead,  but  its  present  ownership  is  unknown  to  us.  The  only  specimen  in 
lead  accessible  to  us  is  so  much  corroded  as  to  furnish  no  satisfactory  basis 
for  ascertaining  its  original  weight. 


end. 


OHVKl.'SK. 

Device,  —  An   eagle   displayed,  resting  u\)nn  a   biancli   willi   a   leaf  at   each 
Legend, — ♦new-  vohki;-   in-  amehica  ••••^^~' 


346  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

REVERSE. 

Ill  the  centre  a  grouiJ  of  five  palm  trees  ;  at  the  right  stands  a  female 
(Venus?)  with  flowing  robes.  At  the  left  is  a  Cnpid  with  his  bow  in  his  left 
hand,  his  right  extended  toward  the  female,  to  whom  he  is  running. 

Borders, —  Milled.  Edge,  —  Plain.  Size,  — 13.  Weight,  —  brass,  55 
grains. 

[Plate  VIII.  No.  14,  and  Fig.  90.] 

The  only  account  we  have  found  of  this  piece,  is  in  the  Historical  Maga- 
zine for  1861,  from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts:  "The  style  in 
which  it  is  executed  is  more  Dutch  than  English;  and  as  the  only  existing 
specimen  has  been  preserved  in  Holland,  it  is  jJi'obable  that  the  dies  were 
originally  cut  there.  *  *  *  There  is  no  date  upon  the  token;  but  it  evidently 
belongs  to  the  period  between  1664,  when  the  name  new  yorke  was  first 
adopted,  and  1710,  after  which  it  was  rarely  spelled  with  an  e.  It  should 
probably  be  referred  to  the  latter  part  of  this  period,  for  the  currency  of  the 
colonies  was  then  in  a  very  unsettled  state,  and  the  amount  in  circulation  was 
not  adequate  to  the  wants  of  trade.  In  Massachusetts,  early  in  1701,  'not  a 
few  individuals  stamped  pieces  of  brass  and  tin,  and  palmed  them  on  community 
at  a  penny  each.'  *  *  *  It  is  not  unlikely  then,  that  at  some  time  between 
1700  and  1706,  there  was  in  Kew  York,  as  we  know  there  was  in  other 
American  colonies,  a  deficiency  of  cash,  to  supply  which  and  perhaps  somewhat 
to  regulate  the  unsettled  currency,  the  dies  of  our  coin  were  prepared  in 
Holland  (possibly  at  the  instance  of  some  Dutch  inhabitant  of  l^ew  York), 
but  were  used  to  strike  nothing  more  ottensive  to  the  sovereign's  right  of 
coining  than  this  harmless  trial-piece  in  soft  metal. 

"  Many  conjectures  may  be  ofiered  as  to  why  the  half-penny  was  not 
brought  into  circulation  after  the  dies  were  ready.  The  wants  of  the  market 
may  have  been  relieved  by  an  importation  like  that  proposed  in  Massachusetts, 
or  the  proclamation  of  Queen  Anne  may  have  made  the  New  Yoi'kers  afraid 
of  trespassing  on  the  royal  prerogative. 

"Without  venturing  to  claim  that  this  coin  contains  the  earliest  display 
of  the  American  eagle,  we  think  it  unquestionably  deserves  to  be  considered 

THE    EARLIEST    NeW    YoRK    TOKEN." 

In  regard  to  the  e  in  Yorke,  we  would  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  it 
is  thus  used  upon  the  reverses  of  the  Continental  Currency  pieces  of  1776. 


PATTEIINS    AND    TOKENS.  347 

THE    "NEW    ENGLAND   STIVER." 

The  second  token  is  known  as  the  "New  England  Stiver,"  a  small  copper 
piece  presumed  to  have  originated  in  Holland,  to  furnish  small  change  lor 
some  of  the  Dutch  merchants  of  that  day  in  New  Amsterdam. 

OBVERSE. 

Two  Lions,  the  upper  facing  the  leit,  the  lower  inverted,  and  facing  the 
right.  At  the  left  of  the  lions  ^  and  at  the  rigiit  g  A  circle  of  dashes  sur- 
rounds tiiis  device,  forming  a  deeply  milled  border. 

kp:vei:se. 
In  four  lines,  the  inscription,   new  engla     nd     xm     The  Ns  all  revei-sed, 

the  M  inverted. 

Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  12.      Weight,  37  grains. 

[Plate  VIII.  No.   13.] 

The  letters  on  the  obverse  have  been  supposed  to  signify,  "1  Stiver  Von 
Connecticut":  we  think  it  more  probable  that  they  were  the  initials  of  some 
Dutch  trader,  as  I.  S.  Van  C.  It  probably  was  not  very  extensively  circulated, 
only  one  specimen,  that  in  the  collection  of  L.  G.  Parmelee,  being  now  known. 
We  have  no  clue  to  the  date  of  its  issue,  except  in  the  style  of  its  work- 
manship, which  we  should  judge  to  be  that  of  the  seventeenth  century. 


ENGRAVED   PATTERN. 

The  engraved  piece  mentioned  on  page  304,  having  inadvertently  been 
omitted  from  a  more  approjjriate  place,  will  next  be  described.  Whether 
this  was  intended  as  a  pattern,  is  impossible  to  decide,  as  it  has  ni'itlier 
legend  or  date:  but  if  so,  it  was  j)robably  designed  as  a  pattern  for  some 
coin  of  the  United  Colonies. 

OBVEI«E. 

An  Eagle  resting  upon  a  crown,  with  five  stars  at  his  left,  and  five  at 
Ids  right. 

i;evei!sf. 
A   shield   bearing  a  cross  and   a   lleui-de-lis   impaled    by   dimidiation.      At 
the  left   of  the  shield  are  five  stars.   [\\wr  al)ovi',  and   live  at   the  right. 

Horders,  —  Beaded.     Edge, —  I'lain.      ^\' eight,  —  !H7  grains.     Size.  —  15. 

|I'l;Ur    Vll.    No.    ;i.| 


348  THE    EAKLY    COINS   OF   AMERICA. 

Having  omitted  from  this  woi-k  some  pieces  usually  considered  as  be- 
oiiging"  to  America,  our  reasons  for  so  doing  may  be  expected. 

The  "Colonies  Francoises,"  of  1721,  1722  and  17G7  were  omitted,  as 
they  are  supposed  to  have  been  coined  with  no  especial  reference  to  America, 
but,  as  the  inscriptions  indicate,  for  the  French  Colonies  in  general. 

The  tin  piece  of  James  II,  has  been,  we  think  without  reason,  considered 
as  intended  for  Florida:  we  have  not  described  it,  as  we  see  no  ground  for 
such  an  opinion:  another  "Florida  piece,"  with  the  legend  jvan  estevan 
DE  PEXA  FLORIDA  has  recently  been  decided  to  be  a  Spanish  medal,  and  the 
legend,  the  name  of  an  individual. 

The  "  Dansk  Americ "  pieces  we  have  not  included,  as  they  are  obvi- 
ously outside  of  our  contemplated  limits. 

Among  the  Tokens,  we  have  included  some  which  have  but  a  very  slight 
claim  to  recognition  among  American  numismatists,  while  we  have  excluded 
others  which  have  been  supposed  to  have  reference  to  this  country,  being 
satisfied  that  no  such  I'efei-ence  was  intended. 

It  may  be  also,  that  some  AVashington  medals  we  have  not  described 
will  here  be  sought  ;  but  we  are  conscious  of  including  in  our  list  some 
which  should  not  be  considered  as  coins,  i-ather  than  of  omitting  any  that  can 
properly  be  so  described,  as  we  have  intended,  under  the  general  head  of 
Washington  pieces,  to  include  all  which  can  reasonably  be  supposed  to  have 
served  the  purposes  of  coins,  and  also  the  medals  produced  by  muling  one 
die  of  a  coin  with  one  of  a  medal.  And  in  this  department,  as  well  as  in 
that  of  the  tokens,  we  have  intended  to  describe  all  such  pieces  as  were 
struck  in  the  eighteenth  century,  for  use  in  this  country. 


THE   WASHINGTON   PIECES, 


The  early  Washington  ]}ieoes  form  a  most  interesting  department  in  the 
collection  of  coins,  and,  if  the  interest  be  extended  to  the  collection  of  all 
pieces  graced  with  the  likeness,  or  bearing  the  name  of  Washington,  it 
forms  also  a  very  extensive  field  for  research  :  our  intention  is,  however,  to 
describe  only  those  struck  in  the  eighteenth  century,  which  may  have  been 
intended  as  patterns,  or  used  as  coins. 

Tradition  furnishes  a  reasonable  excuse  for  the  refusal  of  any  pattern 
bearing  the  head  of  the  first  Pi-esident,  if  indeed  they  were  actually  presented 
as  patterns  as  has  been  supposed,  in  the  repugnance  of  Washington  to  the 
adoption  of  a  style  of  coinage  so  closely  resembling  that  of  a  monarchy,  and 
in  his  personal  feeling  against  appearing  so  conspicuously  upon  the  coins  of 
the  country. 

The  pieces  first  to  be  descril)ed  are  not  considered  as  intended  for 
patterns,  and  are  supposed  to  have  been  issued  by  private  pei-sons  for  specu- 
lative purposes,  but  nothing  is  actually  known  in  regard  to  their  origin  or 
intention. 

WASHINGTON   &  INDKPENDKNCE. 

Tlic  first  of  tlic  i»ieces  bearing  this  legend  is  usually  known,  from  the 
legend  ujxm  the  reverse,  as  the  Unity  States  Cent. 

OBVEKSE   NO.   1. 

Device, —  A  large  bust  of  Washington,  launatcd  and   draiu'd,  lacing   Kit. 
Legend, —  Washington  &  independenck     1783 


350 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMKEICA. 


REVERSE  A. 

Device,  —  Two    olive    branches    forniin<>'    a    wreath,    which    encloses    the 

WOI'ds    ONE    CENT 

Legend," — unity  states  of  America 

Under  the  bow  which  fastens  the  ends  of  the  l)ranches  is  the  fi-action  ^Iq 
Borders,— Milled.     Edge,— Plain.     Size,— ITi.     Weight,— 114  grains. 

[Fig.  91.] 

The  piece  just  described  is  supposed  to  be  of  French  origin;  the  error 
in  the  legend  upon  the  reverse  may  be  owing  to  an  ignorance  of  the  English 
language  in  the  designer  of  it.     These  planchets  are  usually  quite  rough. 


obverse  no.  2. 
Device, —  A  large  bust  of  Washington,  laureated  and  draped,  fiicing  left. 
Legend,  —  washinuton  &  indkpendexck  •1783- 

REVERSE    H. 

Device,  —  A  female  figure  facing  left,  seated  upon  a  rock:  in  her  right 
hand  she  holds  an  olive  branch,  and  hei-  left  supports  the  .*itati'  of  liberty, 
with  cap. 

Legend,  —  united  states 

Borders,  —  Beaded.  Edge, —  LTsually  plain.  Size,  —  17i.  AVeight, — 
128  grains. 

Of  the  above  obverse  we  find  impressions  from  two  dies,  one  of  wliich 
has  a  button  on  the  drapery,  and  of  the  reverse,  also  two  dies,  one  of  which 
resembles  the  reverse  next  to  be  described,  having  the  letters  t.  w.  i.  e.  s. 
in  the  exergue.  These  ai'e  found  l)oth  in  copper  and  l)rass,  and  sometimes 
v/ith  edges  engrailed. 

obverse  no.  ;j. 

Device,  —  A  small  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  dress,  laureated,  facing 
lelt,  with  hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  Washington  &  independence  •  1783  • 


THE    WASHINGTON    PIKCES.  351 

REVERSE  C. 

Device,  —  A  female  figure,  facing  left,  seated  upon  a  rock:  in  her  right  liand 
she  holds  an  olive  hrancli,  and   her  left  -supports  the  staff  of  liberty,   with  cap. 
Legend,  —  united  states 
Tn  exergue, —  t.  ^v.  i.         k.  s. 

Borders,  —  Beaded.     Edge, —  Plain.     Size,  —  llh-     Weight, —  120  grains. 
Of  the  obverse  last  desciibed  we  find  two  dies,  and  of  the  reverse,  three. 

[Plate  X.  Nos.  1  and  2. J 

THE   DCJUBLE   HEAD    WASHINGTON    CENT. 
OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  dress,  laureated,  facing  left, 
with  hair  tied  in  a  queue. 
Legend,  —  Washington 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  dress,  laureated,  facing  left, 
with  hair  tied  in  a  queue. 
Legend,  —  oxi<:  cent 

Boiders,  —  Beaded.      Edge,  —  Plain.     Size,  —  17.     Weight, —  124  grains. 
On  each  side  is  an  elongated  star  under  the  bust. 

[Fig.  92.J 

None  of  the  Washington  pieces  yet  desci-ibed  are  very  lare,  except  one 
die  of  the  Washington  &  Independence  with  the  smaller  head.  In  that  die 
the  face  has  less  pi-ominent  features,  and  the  expi-cssion  is  ver}'  diffei-ent  from 
the  others.  A  modern  restrike  of  one  of  those  with  the  larger  head  is  fre- 
quently found,  and  appears  in  silver,  brass,  and  copper:   its  edge  is  engrailed. 


WASHINGTON  •  THE  •  (iREAT  •  I)  •  G  . 

OliVKliSE. 

Device,  —  A   very   ugly   bead,   facing   i-iglit. 
Legend, —  Washington-    riii:  ■  (;ukat  •  d  ■  g. 
Border,  —  Serrated. 

REVEIiSE. 

Device, —  A  chain  of  thirteen  rings,  each  bearing  llic  nanu'  of  a  State, 
and  on  the  central  space, — 84 

lioi'dei-  and  edge, —  Plain.     Size, —  IGL     Weight, —  102  gi'ains. 

1 1  Male   X.   No.  3.] 

The  84,  may  I)c  the  last  two  figures  of  the  date,  and  it  is  possible  that 
the  figures  17  may  have  been  above  tlicm,  as  ibi'  two  now  visible  occupy 
onl\-    the    lower    half  of  the   ceiiti'al    Held. 


352  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

But  two  specimens  of  this,  the  ugliest  of  all  pieces  bearing  the  name  of 
Washington,  are  known  :  neither  of  them  is  sufficiently  well  preserved  to 
give  the  full  particulars  of  the  reverse.  One  is  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Apple- 
ton,  the  other,  in  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia. 

A  new,  and  probably  unique  Washington  piece,  of  1785  or  1786,  (judging 
from  the  dies  with  which  its  obverse  is  combined,  for  it  has  no  date,)  has 
recently  come  into  the  possession  of  the  writer :  its  obverse  die  is  identical 
with  revei'se  D,  and  its  reverse,  with  reverse  G,  of  the  Confederatios  (p.  317) : 
it  was  probably  designed  as  a  pattern.  A  line  drawn  on  plate  YII.  between 
those  two  reverses  will  represent  this  piece,  and  may  be  numbered  lia. 

THE   WASHINGTON   TRIAL-PIPX'ES. 

The  most  important  of  these  was  procured  from  the  widow  of  Hancock, 
a  die  cutter  of  Birmingham,  England,  and  is  an  impression  of  the  unfinished 
obverse  die  of  one  of  the  Washington  cents  of  1791  —  which  of  them,  it  is 
ditticult  to  determine,  so  much  alike  are  the  busts  upon  both.  It  has  a  head 
of  Washuigton,  facing  left,  but  there  are  no  buttons  on  the  coat,  the  epau- 
lettes and  the  queue  are  unfinished,  and  there  is  no  legend. 

It  is  struck  on  a  copper  planchet  apparently  prepared  for  a  Macclesfield 
halfpenny,  as  it  has  upon  the  edge,  payable  at  Macclesfield  Liverpool 
OK  CONGLETOX  •  x  •  as  on  the  edge  of  those  tokens.  Its  reverse  is  plain, 
showing  only  the  roughness  of  the  anvil  upon  which  it  was  supported  in 
striking.     Its  size  is  19,  and  its  weight,  194  grains. 

This  interesting  trial  piece  was  procured  by  the  writer  at  the  sale  of 
the  Clay  collection:  the  catalogue  says  of  it,  "It  was  obtained  of  the  widow 
of  Hancock,  the  medallist,  of  Birmingham,  and  proves  the  origin  of  the 
Washmgton  Cents,  beyond  a  doubt." 

Two  other  trial-pieces,  struck  only  upon  one  side,  are  desei-ibed  in  the 
catalogue  of  W.  E.  Woodward's  sale  of  April,  1863,  (Nos.  2270  and  2271.) 
One  of  these  is  of  the  lai-ge  eagle  reverse,  A,  soon  to  be  described,  with 
the  edge  lettered,  beksham  bradley  willky  snedshill;  the  other  is  from 
reverse  b,  with  edge,  payable  at  the  warehouse  of  thos  .  &  alex  . 
HUTCHINSON.  We  kuow  not  where  these  now  are,  but  they  were  imported 
in  a  package  of  English  tokens  which  altervvards  came  into  tlie  possession 
of  Mr.  Jeremiah  Colburn,  and  were  sold  with  his  collection. 


'J  HE    AVASHINGTON   PIECES. 


353 


THE   WASHINGTON   CENTS  OF    1791. 

The  Washington  cents  of  1791,  and  the  Washington  tokens  having  a 
ship  on  the  reverse,  are  all  irom  the  two  obverse  dies  which  have  a  bust 
identical  with  that  upon  the  trial  piece  first  described,  and  must  have  sprung 
from  the  same  origin.  A  considerable  number  of  the  large  and  small  eagle 
cents,  and  of  the  token  of  1793,  must  have  been  issued,  as  so  many  specimens 
of  all  of  them  are  now  known.  The  other  token,  that  struck  with  the  reverse 
die  of  the  Liverpool  halfpenny,  is  much  more  rare  than  either  of  the  others, 
only  four  specimens  of  this  having  come  to  our  knowledge. 

As  the  obverses  of  these  pieces  are  from  the  same  dies,  we  shall  describe 
them  all  in  this  section,  although  one  of  the  reverses  has  the  date  of  1793. 

OBVERSE  NO.  1. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington  in  military  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  Washington  president     1791 

KEVEKSE  A. 

Device,  —  A  large  eagle,  displayed;  on  his  breast  a  shield  argent,  six 
pales  gules.  In  his  beak  is  a  scroll  inscribed  unum  e  pluribus  Jn  his 
right  talon  he  grasps  an  olive  branch  of  thirteen  leaves,  and  in  his  left,  a 
bundle  of  thirteen  arrows.     Above  his  head  are  the  words  one  cent 

Edge, —  united    states    of    AMERICA-    x- 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Size,— 19.     Weight,  —  194  grains. 

[Thito  X.  No.  5,  an.l  Fi>r.  93.] 


UKVEIiSE    I!. 

Device,  —  A  siiip  sailing  to  the  right,  a    bi-eak    like  a  liberty  cap  on   the 
t(ip  of  the  mainmast. 

Legend,  —  Liverpool  il\lfpenny 

Edge,  —  PAYABLE    IN    ANGLESEY    LONDON    oi;    LIVERPOOL-    x- 

Border,  — Milled.     Size,  —  18.     Weight,  —  138  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  (1,  Mild  Vig.  95.] 


854 


THE    EAKI.Y    ('OINS    OF    AMEUICA 


Obverse  No.  1,  with  reverse  A,  known  as  the  Large  Eagle  Cent,  is  the 
most  common  of  the  Washington  cents  of  date  snbseqnent  to  1783.  This 
obverse  is  found  with  reverse  B,  on  four  specimens,  of  which  but  three  are 
now  known  to  us;  these  are  in  the  cabinets  of  Messrs.  Appleton,  Parmelee, 
and  that  of  the  writer,  and  are  called  the  Washington  Liverpool  Halfpenny. 

OBVERSE  NO.  2. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  Washington  president  . 

REVERSE  C. 

Device,  —  A  small  eagle,  displayed,  with  upraised  wings  :  on  his  breast  a 
shield  argent,  six  pales  gules,  a  chief  azure.  Li  his  right  talon  he  holds 
an  olive  branch  with  eight  leaves  and  three  berries,  and  in  his  left,  six 
arrows.  About  his  head  are  eight  mullets,  above  the  stars  a  cloud  reaching 
from  wing  to  wing,  and  above  the  cloud  the  words  one  cent  Under  the 
eagle  is  the  date  1791 

Eds:e,  —  united  states  of  America  ■  x  • 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  19.     Weight,  —  190  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  7,  and  Fig.  94.] 
REVERSE  D. 

Device,  —  A  ship  sailing  toward  the  right. 

Legend,  - —  halfpenny 

On  a  panel  under  the  ship,  the  date,  1793 

Edgre,  —  payable  in  Anglesey  london  ok  Liverpool  •  x  • 

Border,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  19.     Weight,—  163  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  14,  and  Fig.  96.] 
Obverse  ISTo.  2  is  found  with  reverses  C  and  D.     That  with  reverse  C  is 
called    the    Small    Eagle   Cent,    and    is    rather   moi'e    rare    than    that   with  the 
large  eagle  reverse  (A)  ;  while  the  token  with  reverse  D,  the  Ship  Halfpenny, 
is  of  about  the  same  degree  of  rarity  with  that  last  named. 


A  curious  and  probably  unique   medal  with  reverse  A,  is    in    the    collec- 
tion of  Mr.  James   E.  Root,  of  Boston:  its  obverse  is  a  bust  of  George  III. 


PLATE   X. 


COPIES 


Hl.l.lorVrK    PAIKNI 


TIIK    WASHINGTON    PIECES. 


355 


facing-  left,  with  the  legoiul  (jeorgivs  hi  dei  gratia  It  is  struck  in 
copper,  .size  20,  and  has  a  beaded  bordei"  and  engi'ailed  edge:  this  ol)verse  is 
illu>tiati(l   ill  the  Chxy  catalogue,  at  the  upper  left  of  the  second  plate. 


THE    WASHINGTON    PIECES   OF    1792. 

OBVERSE   NO.  1. 

Device,  —  An  undraj)ed  bust   of  Wasliington,   facing  right,  the  hair  con- 
fined by  a  fillet  which  is  tied  in  a  bow  with  long  ends. 
Legend,  —  Washington  president  .  171»2 

reverse  a. 

Device,  —  A  small  eagle,  displayed,  Avith  upi-aised  wings,  on  his  breast  a 
shield  argent,  six  pales  gules.  In  his  right  talon  he  holds  an  olive  branch 
of  fourteen  leaves  and  six  berries;  in  his  left,  thirteen  arrows;  about  his  head 
are  six  mullets,  and  above  it  is  the  word,  cent 

Edge,  —  Plain,  or  lettered  united  states  of  America  •  x  •  x  •   x  . 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  19.     Weight,  —  198  grains. 

Of  obverse  No.  1,  i-everse  A,  usually  known  as  the  "  Naked  bust,"  but 
sometimes  called  the  "Roman  head,"  AVashington,  we  have  heard  of  six  or 
eight  specimens,  three  of  which  are  in  the  same  cabinets  with  the  three 
having  the  Liverpool  Halfpenny  reverses;  another  is  owned  by  Mr.  Bushnell. 

Il'late   X.   No.   !»,   :ind   Fig.   97.] 


OBVKRSE  NO.  2. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  (pieue. 

Legend, —  wa.siiin(;t()x  puesident     1792 

REVERSE  B. 

Device,  — A  large  eagle,  displayed;  on  his  breast  a  shield  argent,  six 
pales  gules,  a  chief  azure.  In  his  beak  he  holds  a  scroll  iu.scribed  unum  e 
PLUUiBUS     In  his  right  talon  is  an  olive  branch  with  thirteen  leaves  and  one 


356  THE    EAliLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

berry,  and  in  his  left,  thirteen  arrows.     Over  his  head  is  a  single  voided  star, 
above  which  twelve  similar  stars  form  a  curve  reaching-  from  wing  tc  wing. 
Edge,  —  Plain,  or  lettered  united  states  of  America  •  x 
Borders,  — Milled.        Size,— 19.       Weight,  —  Copper,    180;    silver,    187; 
gold,  252  grains. 

[Plate  X.  Xo.  10,  and  Fig.  98.] 

Obverse  No.  2,  with  reverse  B,  is  also  an  exti-emely  rai'e  variety,  but  the 
nmnber  known  we  cannot  specify:  the  only  specimens  we  have  seen  in  copper, 
are  found  in  the  cabinets  of  Messrs.  Appleton,  Bushnell,  Cohen,  Pai-melee,  and 
the  writer.  We  have  seen  about  the  same  number  of  impressions  from  these 
dies  in  silver,  as  in  copper,  of  which  specimens  are  owned  by  Messrs.  Appleton, 
Bushnell,  Parmelee,  and  A.  S.  Jenks  of  Philadelphia.  One  impression  in 
gold  is  known,  owned  by  Col.  M.  I.  Cohen,  of  Baltimore. 

The  fact  that  impressions  are  found  in  gold,  silver,  and  copper,  gives  us 
reason  to  believe  that  they  were  intended  as  patterns  for  a  coin  in  that 
metal  for  which  they  might  be  considered  most  appropriate. 

OBVERSE   XO.  3. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  militaiy  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  geo.  Washington  born  Virginia  feb.  11.  1732- 

reverse  c. 

Inscription,  —  «  general  of  the  American  armies  1775  resigned 
1788     president  of  the  united  states  1789    • 

The  foregoing  inscription  is  in  ten  lines,  with  the  star  above,  and  dash 
below. 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  — Plain.     Size,  —  19.     Weight,  —  178  grains. 

Obverses  2  and  3  with  reverse  C,  (Plate  X,  Nos.  11  and  13,)  were  evi- 
dently designed  for  medals,  but  are  so  connected  by  muling,  with  the  dies  of 
the  Washington  piece  last  preceding,  that  they  properly  follow  that  in  our 
descriptions.  Neither  of  these  is  very  rare,  though  the  first  is  by  no  means 
common. 

These  are  usually  struck  in  copper  and  with  plain  edge;  but  Mr.  Ap[)leton 
has  one  with  obverse  No.  2  and  reverse  C,  with  edge  lettered  united  states 
of  AMERICA  These  are  usually  sti-uck  in  copper.  Impressions  are  found  in 
silver  of  obverse  N"o.  3  and  reverse  C,  but  they  are  extremely  rare.  A  single 
impression  is  known  of  obverse  3  combined  with  reverse  B.     It  is  in  copper. 


THE    WASHINGTON   PIECES. 


357 


and    is    found    in    the    collection    of   Col.   Cohen.      Its  size  is  20,  weight,  173 
grains.       It  is  illustrated  on  plate  X.  by  Xo.  12. 

Of  reverse  C,  we  find  two  dies,  in  one  of  which  the  words  of  the  are 
directly  over  the  letters  ican,  while  in  the  othci-  they  are  over  the  letters  can  a 

OBVERSE  NO.  4. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  G  .  Washington  .  president  .  r  .      1792 

REVERSE  D. 

Device,  —  An  eagle,  displayed,  on  his  breast  a  shield  argent,  s^ix  pales 
gules,  a  chief  azure;  in  his  right  talon  is  an  olive  bi-anch  of  thirteen  leaves, 
and  in  his  left,  thirteen  arrows. 

Legend,  —  united  states  of  aimerica 

[Fig.  99.] 

This  die  does  not  a])pear  to  have  been  approved,  as  it  was  defaced  by  a 
chisel  mark;  probably  a  mark  of  condemnation  by  its  maker. 

REVERSE   E. 

Device,  —  An  eagle,  displayed,  with  upraised  wings;  on  his  breast  is  a 
shield  argent,  seven  jjales  gules,  a  chief  azure;  in  his  right  talon  is  an  olive 
branch  of  fifteen  leaves,  and  in  his  left,  a  bunch  of  six  ari-ows.  About  his 
head  are  fifteen  mullets. 

Legend, —  .  united  states  of  America  . 

Borders,  — Milled.  Edge,  — Plain.  Size, —  20  to  22.  Weight,  —  copper, 
220  to  273  grains  ;  silver,  193  to  231:  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  8,  and  Fig.  100.] 


The  only  impression  of  obverse  No.  1  with  reverse  D,  is  in  silver,  and  as 
its  present  owner  is  unknown  we  can  give  no  furllu-r  j)articulars  in  regard  to 
it.  The  same  obverse  is  found  with  reverse  K  in  silvci'  and  copper;  and 
though    both    are    very   rare,    in    silver    it    is    nuuli    iiiuir    so    than    in    c()])])cr. 


358  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

We  have  seen  one  specimen  in  copper,  now  owned  by  Jules  Fonrobert,  of 
Berlin,  Prussia,  the  edge  of  which  is  ornamented  in  circles  and  squares. 

It  is  believed  that  the  three  dies  last  described  were  the  work  of  Peter 
Getz,  of  Lancaster,  Pa:  a  self-taught,  but  skillful  mechanic  and  engraver. 
He  was  of  German  descent,  the  original  name  being  Gotz,  and  was  born  near 
Lancaster  about  the  year  1768.  He  is  said  to  have  constructed  the  first  fire- 
engine  ever  made  in  the  United  States,  and  there  is,  (or  was,)  at  the  Mint  in 
Philadelphia,  a  pair  of  scales  made  by  him,  for  weighing  gold,  which  were 
highly  valued  for  their  great  accuracy.  He  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order, 
and  made  the  jewels  for  the  Lodge  in  Lancaster,  (of  which  he  was  a  crafts- 
man,) which  are  still  preserved  by  the  Lodge.  It  is  related  of  him,  that 
upon  one  occasion  an  English  engineer  visited  Lancaster  to  survey  some 
lands,  and  had  the  misfoitune  to  break  one  of  his  most  valuable  instruments, 
which  at  that  time  it  was  impossible  to  replace  in  this  country.  While  lament- 
ing that  he  would  be  obliged  to  la}'  idle  for  many  months,  until  he  coidd 
replace  it  from  England,  he  was  told  that  Getz  could  i-epair  the  damage. 
The  Englishman  laughed  incredulously,  but  concluded  to  let  the  "Dutchman" 
try  his  hand  at  the  job.  It  was  done  to  the  perfect  satisfaction,  and  agreeable 
surprise  of  the  engineer,  who,  (as  the  story  goes,)  rewarded  Peter's  skill  by 
''pouring  his  hands  full  of  gold."  Getz  died  from  the  eiiect  of  an  accident, 
at  the  early  age  of  thirty-six  years. 

The  foregoing  infoi-mation  was  obtained  from  a  letter  to  Mr.  J.  J.  Mickley, 
from  J.  Lawi'ence  Getz,  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  a  grandson  of  Peter  Getz. 

We  shall  here  desci'ibe  a  piece  we  have  not  been  fortunate  enough  to  see, 
referring  to  Snowden's  "  Washington  and  National  Medals,"  plate  XI,  IS^o. 
43,  for  an  illustration  of  the  one  specimen  then  known. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington  in  military  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  Washington  puesidext  179G 

Border,  —  A  beaded  circle  surrounded  by  a  glory. 

REVERSE. 

Probably  identical  with  reverse  D  last  described,  but  altered  at  the  border, 
the  rays  of  the  gloi-y  upon  the  obverse  ai)parently  extending  over  and  turned 
in  on  the  reverse,  as  if  to  convey  the  idea  of  glory  shed  upon  the  United 
States,  by   Washington.     Its  diameter  is  represented  as  nearly  2-1. 


THE    WASHINGTON   PIECES. 


359 


A  search  in    the  ISIint   cabinet   for  this  piece   being  unsuccessful,   we  are 
obliged  to  rely  upon  the  illustration  referred  to  above,  for  our  description. 

THE    "GRATE"   TOKEN. 

OBVERSE. 

Device, — A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  costume,  facing  right,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend  —  g.  avashington.  the  firm  fkiend  to  peace   &  humanity  « 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  open  fire-place,  with  a  grate. 

Legend,  —  payable  by  clark  &  hakris  .  is  .  wormwood  sT  bishopsgate. 

In  exergue,  —  london  1795 

Borders,  —  Milled, 
grains. 


Edge,  —  Engrailed.       Size,  —  17i.       AVeight,  —  lU 

[Plate  X.  Nos.   15  and  16.] 


Of  the  obverse  of  this  token  we  have  found  two  dies,  (in  one  of  which 
the  space  between  the  two  ends  of  the  legend  is  much  larger  than  in  the 
other,)  and  of  the  i-everse,  but  one.  The  planchets  upon  which  they  were 
struck  were  usually  so  small  as  to  leave  but  very  little  sjiace  outside  of  the 
legend,  in  consequence  of  which  the  impression  of  the  borders  is  very  seldom 
to  be  seen.     The  legend  on  the  reverse  proves  this  to  be  an  English  token. 


LIBERTY   AND   SECURITY. 

Whether  the  three  pieces  bearing  the  above  motto  as  a  legend,  were 
intended  to  be  circulated  as  penny  and  halfpenny  tokens,  or  were  designed 
merely  as  medals,  is  uncertain;  but  whatever  their  intent,  we  consider  them 
not  out  of  place  in  this  chapter. 


obverse  no.  1. 
Device,  —  A   bust   of  Washington,  in   military   costume,  facing    the    left, 
with  hair  tied   in  a  cpieue. 

Legend,  —  george  Washington. 


360 


THE   EAKLT   COrNS    OF   AMERICA. 


REVERSE   A. 

Device,  —  A  shield,  argent,  seven  pales  gules,  impaling  argent,  fifteen 
mullets,  five,  four,  three,  two,  one. 

Above  the  shield  an  eagle,  displayed,  grasping  in  his  right  talon  an  olive 
branch  of  nine  leaves,  and  two  berries,  (or  stems,)  and  in  his  left,  three 
arrows. 

Legend,  —  liberty  and  security 

Edere,  —  Ajsr  asylum  for  the  oppress'd  of  all  nations  ::   :   ■■■ 

Border,  —  A  plain,  double  ring.     Size,  —  21.     Weight,  —  300  grains. 

[Fig.  101.] 

OBVERSE  NO.  2. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  costume,  facing  the  right, 
with   hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —    •  george  Washington  • 

REVERSE  B. 

Device,  —  A  shield,  paly  of  sixteen  argent  and  gules,  impaling  argent, 
fifteen  mullets,  five,  four,  three,  two,  one. 

Above  the  shield  an  eagle,  displayed,  grasping  in  his  right  talon  an 
olive  branch  of  eight  leaves  and  four  berries,  and  in  his  left,  six  arrows. 

Legend,  — .  liberty  and  security  .  The  date  17  95  is  divided  by 
the  shield. 

Edge,  —  AN   ASYLUM   FOR   THE    OPPRESS'd    OF    ALL    NATIONS    ::     :    :: 

Border,  —  A  plain  circle,  with  milling  around  it. 
Size,  —  20i.     Weight,  —  310  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  17,  and  Fig.   102.] 


OBVERSE  NO.  ,3. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  AVashington,  in    military  costume,  facing    the    right, 
with  hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend, —  george  washingtox 

Border,  —  A  plain  circle,  with  milling  around  it. 


THE    WASHINGTON   PIECES. 


361 


REVERSE. 

Device,  — A  shield,  argent,  seven  pales  gules,  impaling  azure,  fifteen 
mullets,  five,  four,  three,  two,  one. 

Above  the  shield,  an  eagle,  displayed,  grasping  in  his  right  talon  an  olive 
branch  of  eight  leaves  and  three  berries,  and  in  his  left,  six  arrows. 

Legend,  —  liberty  and  security  The  date  17  95  is  divided  by  the 
shield. 

Edge, — Usually — payable  at  london  Liverpool  or  Bristol-  (See 
below.) 

Border,  — Milled.     Size,  — 18,     Weight,  — 139  grains. 

[Fig.   1(13.] 

A  specimen  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Appleton,  has  the  edge  lettered, 
BIRMINGHAM  REDRUTH  &  SWANSEA  and  one  in  the  writer's  collection  has  the 
edge,  AN  asylum  for  the  oppress-d  of  all  nations  •  x  •  We  have  seen 
no  duplicate  of  the  last,  and  the  other  is  very  rarely  found. 


The  large  piece,  without  date,  (that  first  described,)  cannot  be  called 
rare;  but  the  other,  having  a  date,  is  extremely  so,  only  two  specimens  being 
known.  Mr.  Appleton  is  the  owner  of  one,  and  the  writer,  of  the  other. 
The  smaller  piece,  though  iiinch  more  rare  than  that  without  date,  is  not  of 
extreme  rarity. 

A  mule  of  the  reverse  last  described,  with  a  die  of  the  •  iRisii  halfpenny  • 
is  sometimes  found,  but  is  considered  of  very  little  importaiu-e.     It  is  pi-ohable 
that   all  of  these  were  of  English  origin,  and  the  two  more  common  varieties 
are  illustrated  in  "  The  Virtuoso's  Companion." 

The  pales  u])on  the  shields  have  all  been  described  as  "gules,"  —  they 
being  evidently  so  intended,  —  although  not  all  so  engraved,  several  of  them 
having  the  pales  plain  instead  of  composed  of  line  perpendicular  lines,  which 
properly  represent  gules,  or  red. 


362  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

NORTH   WALES. 

Device,  —  A  bust  of  Washington,  in  military  costume,  facing  left,  with 
hair  tied  in  a  queue. 

Legend,  —  georgeivs  Washington 

KEVEKSE. 

Device,  —  A  harp,  crowned. 

Legend,  —  north  wales 

Borders,  —  Phiin.      Edge,  —  LTsualh'    plain,    (see    below.)       Size,  —  17. 

Weight,  —  111  grains. 

[Fig.  104] 

The  more  common  variety  of  reverse  has  at  each  side  of  the  base  of  the 
harp,  a  star  of  six.  Another  reverse,  known  on  only  a  single  specimen,  has 
two  smaller  stars  at  each  side  of  the  harp,  and  a  fleur  de  lis  on  top  of  the 
crown,  in  2:)lace  of  the  star  found  in  the  more  common  die:  one  other  specimen, 
on  a  thick  planchet  weighing  1-13  grains,  has  on  the  edge,  payable  in 
LANCASTER  LONDON  OK  BRISTOL  Both  of  these  are  owned  by  the  writer. 
Most  of  the  North  AVales  pieces  are  in  a  brassy  composition,  but  the  two 
last  mentioned  are  in  copper. 

A  curious  Washington  piece  is  owned  by  Mr.  Stickney,  which  he  believes 
to  have  been  intended  as  a  pattern  for  a  dollar,  and  the  work  of  Jacob 
Perkins.  It  is  struck  as  an  incused  shell,  and,  (we  speak  from  recollection 
only,  it  being  now  impossible  for  us  to  obtain  an  exact  description  of  it,) 
has  in  the  centre,  a  bust  of  Washington,  facing  left,  and  closely  resembling 
those  upon  the  small  luneral  medals  of  Washington,  the  dies  of  which  were 
cut  by  Perkins.  Around  the  tield  surrounding  the  bust,  is  fine  engine-work 
of  mtricate  pattern,  which  covers  the  rest  of  the  surface  of  the  planchet,  the 
size  of  which  is  about  21. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  Jacob  Perkins  made  this,  and  for  a  pattei'n  ; 
but  it  seems  scarcely  possible  that  it  could  have  been  intended  to  issue  it  upon 
so  thin  a  planchet,  this  being  hardly  one  fifth  of  the  thickness  of  a  dollar. 

Mr.  Stickney  refers  to  this  piece,  in  a  communication  to  the  Joui-nal  of 
Numismatics,  (Vol.  III.  No.  5,)  as,  "  a  Silver  pattern  for  the  first  coinage 
of  LTnited  States  Dollars,  beautifully  executed  by  Jacob  Perkins  of  New- 
buryport,  and  obtained  by  me  from  his  nephew,  which  last  was  not  accepted 
by  the  government,  because  it  bore  the  medallion  head  of  Washington,  a  too 
aristocratic  design  for  a  period  governed  by  French  infiuence." 


THE    EARLY    PATTERNS    OF    THE 
UNITED    STATES  MINT. 


On  Wednesday,  Jnly  G,  1785,  Congress  took  into  consideration  the 
report  of  a  grand  committee  on  the  snbject  of  a  money  nnit,  and  resolved  : 

''  That  the  money  nnit  of  the  United  States  of  America,  be  one  dollar. 

"That  the  smallest  coin  be  of  copper,  of  which  200  shall  pass  for  one  dollai-. 

"That  the  several  pieces  shall   increase  in   a  dcciinal   ratio." 

On  the  8th  of  August,  178G,  furthei-  action  was  taken,  the  names  and 
weights  of  coins  specified,  and  the  board  of  ti-easury  ordered  to  i-eport  a 
draft  of  an  ordinance  for  the  establishment  of  a  Mint. 

The  draft  was  therefore  presented,  and  on  the  IGth  of  October,  1786,  an 
"ordinance  for  the  establishment  of  the  Mint  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  for  regulating  the  value  and  alloy  of  coins,"  was  passed. 

The  form  of  the  ordinance,  and  the  action  relating  thereto,  may  be  found 
in  the  Journals  of  Congress  between  the  dates  specified  above. 

The  Mint  was  not  in  readiness  for  coining  until  late  in  the  year  1792, 
when  a  small  amount  of  silver  was  coined,  and  in  1793,  the  regular  coinage 
of  copper  was  commenced. 

It  appears  I'rom  a  paragrapii  in  the  Newburyport  Herald,  of  July  18, 
1792,  that  the  opinion  then  prevailed  that  Jacob  Perkins  was  to  be  the  super- 
intendent of  the  United  States  Mint.  We  know  that  he  was  employed  in 
making  dies  for  the  Mint  of  Massachusetts,  and  it  may  be  that  he  was  con- 
cerned in  the  pivparation  of  souie  of  the  pattei'ns  described  in  this  chapter; 
but  of  this  we  have  no  proof.     The  following  is  the  article  alluded  to  :  — 

"Several  newspapers  of  the  jjast  and  present  week  have  prematurely 
mentioned  Mr.  Pekkfns  of  this  town  being  sent  foi-  t<>  Philadelphia,  lor  the 
purpose  of  superintending  the  coinage  there.  Mr.  1'kukins'  abilities  iu  that 
line    are    fully    ade(|uate    to    such    an    n])p()iutmeut,    as    tlie    specimens    he    has 


364 


THE    EAKLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 


exhibited  in  that  Une  amply  testify.  —  Instead  of  the  former  method  of  per- 
forming the  business  he  has  invented  a  new  machine,  which  cuts  the  metal 
into  such  circular  pieces  as  are  wanted,  and  gives  the  impression  at  the  same 
time  —  its  motion  is  accelerated  by  a  balance  wheel,  and  more  than  one  third 
of  the  time  and  labor  thereby  saved.  He  has  also  constructed  another  machine, 
of  his  own  invention,  for  milling  or  lettering  the  edge,  by  which  a  boy  can 
mill  sixty  each  minute." 

Washington,  in  his  fourth  annual  address,  November  6,  1792,  says:  —  "In 
execution  of  the  authority  given  by  the  legislature,  measures  have  been  taken 
for  engaging  some  artists  from  abroad  to  aid  in  the  establishment  of  our 
Mint.  Others  have  been  employed  at  home.  Provisions  have  been  made  for 
the  requisite  buildings,  and  these  are  now  putting  into  proper  condition  for 
the  purposes  of  the  establishment.  There  has  been  a  small  beginning  in 
the  coinage  of  half  dismes,  the  want  of  small  coins  in  circulation  calling  the 
first  attention  to  them." 

The  half  dismes  here  referred  to  Avere  issued  before  the  Mint  was  com- 
pletely organized  ;  and  tradition  reports,  that,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  silver, 
Washington  caused  some  of  his  own  private  plate  to  be  melted  to  supply  the 
deficiency,  and  that  it  was  from  that  supply  tluU  these  patterns  were  coined. 
It  is  said  that  the  value  of  about   one   hundred  dollars  was  coined    into  half 

dismes. 

THE  DISME. 


OBVERSE. 

Device, —  A  head  with  flowing  hair,  lacing  the  left. 
Leaend.  —  libeiity  pakekt  of  science  &  indus. 
Date.  —  1792  under  the  head. 

REVEliSE. 

Device,  —  A  small  eagle,  flying  toward  the  left. 

Legend,  —  united  states  of  amepjca 

Beneath  the  eagle,  the  word  disme 

Borders,  —  Milled.     Edge,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  M. 

.57;  copper,  58  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  18,  and  Fig.  105.] 


Weight,  — Silver,  10  to 


THE   EARLY   PATTERNS    OF   THE    UNITED    STATES   MES'T. 


365 


THE   HALF    DISME. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  head  with  flowing  hair,  facing  the  left. 
Legend,  —  lib-  pak  •  of  science  &  industry- 
Date,  —  1792  under  the  head. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  small  eagle,  flying  toward  the  left. 
Legend,  —  uni  •  statks  of  America 

-r.  11  1         HALF 

Beneath  the  ea^le  dis.me 

Borders  and  edge,  —  Milled.     Size,  —  lOh.     Weight,  —  21  grains. 

[Phitf  X.  No.  19,  and  Fig.   106.] 


THE   LARGE   PATTERN    CENT. 


OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  head  with  flowing  hair,  facing  the  right. 
Legend,  —  liberty  parent  of  sciknce  &  industry  * 
Date,  — 1792  under  the  head. 
The  name  birch  is  on  the  shoulder  of  the  bust. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  wreath  formed  of  two  laurel  branches  tied  by  a  riblion 
below,  enclosing  a  plain  circle,  within  which  ai-e  the  words  one  cent 

Legend,  —  united  states  of  America. 

Under  the  bow  in  the  ribbon  is  the  fraction    ,J-jj 

Edge,  —  Dittering  in  each  of  the  three  specimens  we  have  examined,  one 
being  plain  ;  one  reading,  to  uk  kstkkmkd  »  bk  uskful  »  while  on  the  thii-d, 
the  first  mullet  is  omitted,  and  at  each  side  of  tlie  one  remaining,  is  a  small  leaf 

Borders,  — Milled.     Size,— 21.     Weight,— 217  to  286  grains. 

Il'l.itc  X.   No.  20,  aii.l   Fig.    1(17. 1 

It  has  been  said  that  the  head  upon  this  pattern,  as  well  as  those  upon 
the  disme  and  half  disme,  was  intended  for  a  likeness  of  Martha  Washington. 


366 


THE   EARLY    COIKS   OP   AMERICA. 


THE   EAGLE   PATTERN    CENT. 
OBVEKSE. 
Device,  —  A  head  facing  the  right,  the  hair  confined  by  a  band  and  knot. 
Legend,  —  liberty. 
Date,— 1792  under  the  head. 
Border,  —  A  slightly  raised  rira. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  An  eagle  with  upraised  wings,  standing  upon  the  section  of  a 
globe,  facing  the    right. 

Legend,  —  united  states  of  America. 
Boi-der,  —  A  circle  of  87  small  stars. 
Edge,  — Milled.     Size,  —  18.      Weight,  — 175i  grains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  21,  nii.l  Fig.    108.] 


THE   SMALL   PATTERN   CENT. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  head  with  flowing  hair,  flicing  right. 
Legend. —  liberty  parent  of  science  &  indust: 
Date.  —  1792  under  the  head. 

REVERSE. 

Device,  —  A  wreath  formed  of  two  olive  branches,  tied  below,  enclosing 
the  words  one  cent 

Legend,  —  united  states  of  America 
Under  the  bow  in  the  ribbon  is  the  fraction   ^^o 
Borders  and  edge,  —  Milled.     Size, —  li.     Weight,  —  65  gi-ains. 

[Plate  X.  No.  22,  aiul  Fig.  109.] 

The  ''  Silver  Centre  Cent "  is  from  the  same  dies  with  that  last  de- 
scribed, but  it  has  a  small  plug  of  silver  inserted  in  the  centre,  as  indicated 
by  its  name.     The  weight  of  one  in  Mr.  Parmelee's  collection  is  59  grains. 

The  Eagle  pattern  cent  is  in  the  cabinet  of  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia,  and 
we  have  heard  of  but  one  other.  The  collections  of  Messi-s.  Appleton  and 
Parmelee  supply  specimens  of  all  the  other  pieces,  all  of  which  are  extremely 
rare. 


SOUTH    CAROLINA. 


The  following,  relating  to  the  proposed  coinage  for  Sonth  Carolina,  was 
received  from  Mr.  Bushnell,  but  not  in  season  to  be  given  in  its  proper 
place  ;    we  therefore  present  it  in  an  additional  chapter. 

"In  the  year  1785,  Mr.  Charles  Borrell  made  a  proposal  to  the  Legisla- 
ture of  South  Carolina  to  coin  20,000  pounds  in  silver,  and  10,000  pounds  in 
copper  for  the  use  of  the  State,  the  petitioner  agreeing  to  receive  and  accept 
the  paper  money  of  the  State  in  exchange.  This  proposal  being  accepted, 
an  ordinance  was  passed  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  March,  1786,  gi-anting 
the  privilege  to  Mr.  Borrell,  and  the  Governor  of  the  State  was  authorized 
to  designate  the  device  and  legend  for  the  coins.  Mr.  Borrell  thereupcm  pro- 
ceeded to  Europe,  and  made  a  contract  in  Switzerland  for  the  amount,  and 
in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Lewis  Newhouse,  of  Charleston,  dated  -July  21,  1786,  he 
says,  'Be  pleased  to  assure  His  Excellency,  the  Governor,  that  when  you 
receive  this,  there  will  be  on  the  way  to  Charleston,  from  One  Thousantl  to 
Fifteen  Hundred  Louis  d'ors,  to  be  presented  to  the  Treasury,  and,  al'ter 
examination,  a  certificate,  in  due  form,  must  be  obtained,  approving  and 
declaring  these  monies  to  be  just  and  conformable  to  the  ordinance,  and  liial 
in  consequence,  the  State  will  receive  the  surplus.' 

"A  Louis  d'or  is  24  livres,  equal  t..  about  |4.444.  *  *  *  *  *  This  is  all 
I  liave  l)i'cn  al)le  to  learn  respecting  this  coinage,  the  authority  for  wliicii  is 
given  below. 

"  '  An  Ordinance  respecting  Silver  and  Copper  Coins. 

"'Whereas  a  proposal  has  I)een  made  by  Mr.  Charles  Borrell,  for  coining 
a  quantity  of  silver  and  copper  money,  and  paying  the  same  into  the 
Treasury  in  exchange  lor  the  ])a|)er  medium  of  this  State  ; 

"'Be  it  therefore  oidaiiicd  by  the  lloiiorahlc,  tlic  Senate  and  the  Ilouse 
of  Kepresentatives,  now  met  and  siiiing  in  (iciu'ral  Assembly,  and   l)y  autlioi'ity 


368  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 

of  the  same,  That  if  the  said  Charles  Borrell  shall,  within  Fifteen  Months 
next  ensuing,  import  into  this  State,  copper  coin,  to  the  amount  in  value,  of 
ten  thousand  pounds  sterling,  one  moiety,  in  pieces  of  the  value  of  one  penny 
each,  and  the  other  moiety  in  pieces  of  the  value  of  half  a  penny  each,  accord- 
ing to  the  standard  of  British  half-pence,  and  silver  coin  to  the  value  of 
Twenty  Thousand  pounds  stei'ling,  that  is  to  say.  Three  fourths  in  pieces  to  the 
value  of  one  shilling  each,  and  the  other  fourth  in  pieces  of  the  value  of  six 
pence  each,  which  jiieces  shall  be  of  the  same  weight  as  English  shillings 
and  sixpences,  and  contain  an  alloy  proportioned  to  that  of  the  French  Crowns, 
and  shall  be  impressed,  stamped,  and  made  with  the  figures,  words,  and 
devices,  and  in  such  way  and  manner  as  the  Governor  shall  direct,  and  shall 
be  respectively  called  a  penny,  a  half-penny,  a  shilling  and  a  sixpence  ;  and 
if  the  said  coin  shall  on  being  assayed  in  the  presence  of  the  Treasurer  be 
found  to  be  of  the  value  above  mentioned,  according  to  the  standard  aforesaid, 
which  the  Governor,  on  a  certificate  thereof  from  the  Treasm'ers  shall  cause 
to  be  notified  by  proclamation,  the  Treasurers  shall  and  may  receive  the  same 
in  exchange  for  the  paper  medium  of  this  State  and  give  the  said  medium  in 
exchange  for  the  said  coin;  and  that  the  said  coin  shall  be  the  lawful  money 
of  this  State,  receivable  and  issuable  as  such,  at  the  value  aforesaid,  in  all 
payments  at  and  from  the  Treasury,  and  a  tender  in  law  according  to  the 
rates  and  value  aforesaid,  in  satisfaction  of  all  private  contracts,  and  that  the 
counterfeiting,  clipping,  defacing,  or  debasing  the  same,  shall  be  felony,  with- 
out the  benefit  of  clergy. 

"'In   the    Senate    House,  the  twenty-second   day  of  March,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord,  One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Eighty  Six. 

"  '  John  Lloyd, 

'■  ^  President  of  the  Senate. 
"  '  John  Fauchereaud, 
"  '  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives.'  " 

We  will  conclude  with  a  paragraph  already  printed  on  page  144  :  — 

"  Chai-leston,  S.  C.  Sept.  29. 
"  Government    has    received    information    that    Mr.   Borel    has    compleated 
his    contract    of  coinage    for    this    State,    in    Switzerland,    and    may    be    soon 
expected    here    by   the  way  of  London.     The    stipulation  was  for  30,000 1.   in 
silver  and  copper,  to  be  exchanged  lor  the  paper  medium."' 


CONCLUSIOX. 


Since  the  tables  of  varieties  were  printed,  several  new  dies,  and  some  new 
combinations,  have  been  discovered,  which  will  here  be  described  :  an  omission, 
also,  may  here  be  supplied,  by  copying  Ruding's  description  of  one  of  Lord 
Baltimore's  coins.  He  says  :  "One  shilling  has  the  arms  of  his  wife,  a  cross 
botony,  quartered  on  the  reverse.  This  coin,  which  is  supposed  to  be  unique, 
was  in  the  possession  of  the  late  Sir  Fredei'ick  Morton  Eden,  bart."  We  have 
no  knowledge  of  this  piece,  having  never  found  any  other  mention  of  it. 


Mr.  H.  S.  Adams  has  an  impression  upon  copper,  from  Pine  Tree  Shilling 
dies,  and  having  an  engraving  made  of  it,  kindly  presents  an  opportunity  Ibr 
its  illustration.  We  copy  the  connnents  upon  the  piece,  made  in  the  report 
of  the  Boston  Numismatic  Society,  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  which  it  was 
exhibited.  "  it  is  struck  over  a  half-jjenny  of  (ieorge  I.,  i)art  of  the  date  df 
which  is  discernable,  and  is  supposed  to  be  1721}.  The  piece  has  l)i'i'n  in 
various  collections  during  the  past  twelve  or  fifteen  years,  and  from  ihv  owners 
it  is  traced  back  to  the  discoverer,  Charles  Payson,  Esq.,  of  Porthind,  Me. 
Mr.  Payson  purchasi'd  it  of  an  old  gentleman,  who  said  it  liad  been  in  his 
possession    some    foi'ty   years.     Mr.   P.'s    thcori/   al)out    it    is.    that    liie   die   was 


870  THE   EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

rejected  on  account  of  the  last  n  being  left  out  of  the  word  England;  this 
accounts  for  not  finding  Shillings  of  the  same  die.  *****  That  this  die 
should  have  been  in  existence  at  the  period  of  the  issue  of  the  half-pennies 
of  George  I.,  is  not  strange,  as  a  die  of  a  similar  character,  used  here  one 
hundred  and  twenty  years  ago,  was  shown  at  the  I«[ovember  meeting." 

Mr.  Stickney  also  has  a  similar  piece  in  coppei-,  but  from  difterent  dies, 
and  of  larger  size. 

As  connected  with  the  Continental  Currency  pieces,  (by  having  for  a 
reverse  a  similar  obverse  die,)  though  evidently  a  medal,  may  be  described 
a  piece,  specimens  of  which  are  owned  by  Mr.  Appleton,  and  Mr.  Heni-y  W. 
Holland,  of  Cambridge. 

OBVERSE. 

Device,  —  At  the  left,  and  in  the  back  ground,  the  city  of  London.  In 
the  centre,  an  Indian  with  bow  and  quiver,  standing  before  Britannia,  who 
is  seated  at  the  right  ;  between  them  is  a  dove,  flying  towai'd  the  Indian. 

Legend.  —  felicitas  :  Britannia  :  et  :  America 

In  exergue,  —  mdcclxxxiii  Sep'   4 

EEVERSE. 

Device, —  Thirteen  rings  interlinked,  each  bearing  the  name  of  a  State. 

Legend,  —  American-:  congress* 

Centre,  —  we  ake  one 

A  glory  fills  the  space  between  the  legend  and  the  thirteen  rings. 

Border,  —  Beaded.     Edge,  —  Ornamented  with  leaf-work.     Size,  —  25. 

Descrijitions  of  two  pieces  were  purposely  omitted  I'rom  the  last  chapter, 
as  they  are  evidently  modern  impressions,  although  the  obverse  dies  may 
have  been  cut  at  the  date  claimed  for  them. 

OBVEKSE  xo.  1. 

Device,  —  An  eagle  facing  left,  resting  upon  a  rock. 
Field,  — Plain. 

OBVEKSE   NO.  2. 

Device,  —  An  eagle,  with  wings  displayed,  resting  upon  a  shield. 
Field,  —  Plain. 

REVEKSE. 

Inscription,  —  Tiial  piece.     Designed  for  United  States  Cent.     179'J 
Borders,  —  Raised.     Edges,  —  Plain.     Size,  19. 


CONCLUSION.  371 


COPIES. 


We  have  placed  at  the  loot  of  most  of  our  jjlates,  (but  in  a  few  instances 
on  other  plates,)  copies  of  some  pieces  there  illustrated,  that  comparisons 
might  be  readily  made,  and  the  counterfeits  recognized  when  met  with.  We 
will  here  give  a  list  of  these  copies,  not  all  of  which  were  originally  intended 
as  counterfeits,  but  which  are  sometimes  oftei-ed  as  genuine  pieces. 

Plate  I.  No.  18,  —  Sommer  Island  Shilling,  —  issued  by  A.   S.  Robinson. 

Plate  I.  Nos.  19  to  25,  Plate  11.  Nos.  25  to  28,  and  Plate  III.  Nos.  17 
and  18,  —  Wyatt's  Counterfeit  New  England  Silver  money. 

Plate  III.  Nos.  19,  — W.  Idler's  Lord  Baltimoi-e  Penny.  No.  20  repre- 
sents one  with  the  name  and  address  removed. 

Plate  IV.  No.  20,  —  A.  S.  liobinson's  Kosa  Americana  Twopence  of  17:53. 

Plate  VII.  Nos.  34  and  35,  —  J.  A.  Bolen's  Confederatios. 

Plate  VIII.  Nos.  27  to  30,— The  Geoi-ge  Clinton,  Liber  Natus,  and 
Higley  Copper,  by  J.  A.  Bolen. 

Plate  IX.  Nos.  27  and  29,  —  New  York  Doubloon,  and  New  En<>-land 
Elephant,  issued  by  A.  S.  Kobinson,  and  No.  28,  —  The  Carolina  Elephant, 
by  J.  A.  Bolen. 

Plate  X.  No.  24,  Bolen's  Bar  Cent,  25,  — Idler's  Washington  Hall 
Dollar,  and  27,  —  Edwards's  Imnume  Columbia. 

We  have  endeavored  to  make  our  descriptions,  measurements,  and  weights, 
as  complete  as  possible,  but  it  will  often  be  found  that  planchets  were  used 
greatly  dilfering  in  thickness,  size  and  weight  ;  therefore,  where  a  I'ange  of 
weight  is  not  speciHed,  the  weight  of  the  heaviest  specimen  found  is  given. 
An  ajjparent  difference  may  also  be  noticed  where  some  dies  when  struck  on 
a  small  planchet  appear  to  be  milled  at  the  border,  while  when  struck  on  a 
large  planchet  the  border  will  be  beaded  ;  this  appears  among  the  Rosa 
Americanas,  the  Vermonts,  and  perhaps  elsewhei'e. 

The  following  ])ieces  have  come  to  oui-  knowledge  since  the  chapters  in 
which  they  belong  were  printed. 

A  new  obverse  die  of  the  larger  Saint  Patrick  piece    •••flohe  at  ]!Kx  • 
with    the    KttiTs  of  tlie   legend   much    larger   than  that    before  described  :    its 
reverse  does  not  differ  lioni  that  of  the  other  variety. 

The  smaller  St.  Patrick  piece  i<'lokeat  :  hex:  •  noted  as  in  silver,  is  an 
error,  as  the  piece  supposed  to  be  in  silver  pioves  to  be  copper,  plated. 


372  THE    EARLY    COINS    OF    AMERICA. 

A  new  obverse  die  of  the  Rosa  Americana  Twopence,  the  reverse  of 
which  has  no  label  and  is  shown  on  plate  III.  No.  14. 

A  specimen  in  brass,  of  the  Wood's  Pattern,  with  reverse  No.  2,  (p.  147,) 
is  in  Mr.  ^Applet on's  collection,  thus  making  two  specimens  in  brass. 

A  Vermont  coin  of  1788,  with  legend  vermon  auotori  the  c  inverted  : 
it  is  found  with  reverse  A,  and  is  owned  by  Dr.  Maris. 

Nos.  3  and  4  of  Connecticut  coins  of  1785  are  found  with  reverse  A. 

A  new  head,  mailed  bust,  probably  of  1786,  No.  2,  but  so  worn  as  to 
render  a  description  impossible.     It  belongs  to  Dr.  Maris. 

A  new  reverse  of  1786,  punctuated,  IXDE  -^      et   •  lib:  with  obverse  No.  5. 

Reverse  B  of  1786,  should  have  the  legend  inde  «i-  et  lib  an  impression 
from  that  die,  owned  by  Di\  Maris,  showing  this  singular  punctuation.  The 
impressions  previously  found  were  imperfect,  and  the  punctuation  illegible. 

A  new  reverse  of  1787,  with  legend  ♦inde:*»  ♦  et-iib:*  is  found 
with  obverses  35  and  37.     Both  specimens  are  owned  by  Di'.  Maris. 

Reverse  N,  of  1787,  draped  busts,  should  have  a  period  instead  of  a 
dash  between  et  lib 

Among  New  Jerseys  a  new  die  of  No.  3,  of  1786,  with  reverse  F. 

Dr.  Maris  sends  us  a  new  die  of  No.  6  of  1786,  which  has  the  cross- 
bar of  the  singletree  parallel  with  the  beam  of  the  plough. 

A  new  die  of  reverse  B  of  1787,  with  obverse  1.  In  this  die  the  second 
u  shows  that  an  s  was  first  put  in  its  place,  and  the  lt  stamped  over  it. 

Two  new  dies  of  No.  4  of  1787,  with  reverse  D.     Both  belong  to  Dr.  Maris. 

A  Washington  piece  like  Fig.  106,  on  a  thin  planchct,  owned  by 
Mr.  Pai'melee,  has  an  edge  ornamented  in  circles  and  squares  like  a  thick 
one  before  described,  and  weighs  but  180  grains. 


INDEX 


Ity  For  rei'ui'ences  to  particular  pieces  and  plates,  see  legends  and  inscriptions.  The  pieces  not 
represented  on  the  plates  are  indicated  by  a  cipher  (0),  but  no  references  are  made  to  the  cuts,  which 
will  be  readily  found.     The  figures  refer  to  pages,  and  the  Roman  numerals  to  the  plates. 


Agents  to  the  King  instructed,  83,  84 
Aiidros,  Sir  Edmund,  arrives,  DO,  95 
Anglo-American  Tokens,  337 
Anna]>olis  Tokens,  328 
Anne,  Queen,  Proclamation  by,  117 
Answers  to   Koasons   for  a  Mint  in   New  Eng- 
land, !»3 
Anu-iicau  Tokens,  323 
Articles  of  Agreement  of  Machin,  &c.  192 
Bailey,  John,  Affidavit  of,  283 
Bailey,  John,  Petition  of,  290 
Baltimore,  Lord,  Letter  from,  125 
Baltimore,  Lord,  to  be  apprehended,  129 
Baltimore,  Lord,  to  be  summoned,  130 
Bar  Cent,  333 
Base  Halfpence,  172,  173 

Base  Money,  Project  for  Coining  menlioniMl,  141 
Beiinuda,  11 

Birniingliam  C'o[ipers,  291 
Black  Dogg.s,  203 
Blathwayt,  Mr.,  Letter  to,  91 
Bond  of  Reuben  Harmon,  178 
Bond  of  Josiah  Witlierle,  271 
Boston,  or  Bay  Shillings,  G2 
Bostoneers,  Randolph  complains  of,  85 
Brass  and  Tin  Pieces,  114 
Brass  and  Tin  Pieces,  Order  proliil)iting,  115 
Brasher's  Douiilo-ui,  322 
Brasse  JMoney,  15 


Brown,  Ammi,  Letter  from,  63 

Buel,  Abel,  188,  189 

Buel,  William,  188,  189 

Bullets,  Muskett,  26 

Callender,  Joseph,  251,  252 

Canada,  133 

Carolina,  Coin  for,  144,  337 

Carolina,  Elephant  Tokens,  337,  367 

Cent,  Name  pro])osed,  308 

Coinage,  First,  at  United  States  ^lint,  363 

Coinage  of  Half  Dismes,  364 

Coinage,  Proposals  for,  139 

Clialkhill,  William,  Memorial  of,1225 

Chetwood,  F.  B.,  Letter  from,  287 

Clinton,  (ieorge,  319,  321 

(Commissioners  of  Treasury,  Letters  to,  87,  89 

Committee  on  Plantations,  Opinion  of,  86 

Connecticut,  203 

Petition  of  John  Reed,  204 

Petition  for  Coining  in,  207 

Resolve  granting  Petition,  209 

Coins  described,  211 

Tables  of  Varieties  of  Coins,  212,  213 

Notes  U|ion  Tables,  214 

Bill  forliiilding  Other  Coining  in,  219 

Livestigation  i>rdered,  221 

Re|K)rt  upon,  221 

Coinage  sus|Kiided,  224 

Dis])osal  of  Coin  in  Treasurv  of,  224 


374 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMERICA. 


Cooley,  William.  188 

Cox,  Albion,  275,  276,  278,  279,  280 

Crown,  31 

Cuming,  Alexander,  Proposal  to  Coin,  142 

Copies,  371 

Curwen,  Samuel,  Extract  from  Diary,  312 

Davis,  Samuel,  Proposal  to  Coin,  140 

Dawson,  Richard,  323 

Disme,  and  Half  Disme,  364 

Dobbs,  Arthur,  Proposal  to  Coin,  143 

Dollars,  found  in  Flemish  Wreck,  14 

Double  Impressions,  <&c.,  187 

Ducatour,  29 

Eight,  308 

Elephant  Tokens,  337 

Engraved  Pattern,  347 

Expenditures  for  Contingencies,  310 

Farthings  rendered  Uneurrent,  26 

Five,  308,  312 

Foreign  Coin,  Value  of,  regulated,  84,  85 

Fugios,  297 

Report  of  Committee  on  Coining,  297 

Design  ordered  for  Coin,  298 
Fysack,  John,  proposes  to  Coin,  139 
Gen.  Washington,  317,  352 
Getz,  Peter,  358 
Gilders,  29 

Glovcester  Token,  323 
Goadsby,  Thomas,  275,  276,  278,  279,  280 
Half  Disme,  365 
Half-pence,  Base,  172,  173 
Half-penny,  ^lassachusetts,  304 
Hall,  B.  H.,  Letters  from,  187,  188,  190 
Hancock,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Inspector,  253 
Hancock,  Ebenezer,  discharged,  268 
Harmon,  Julian,  Letter  from,  189 
Harmon,  Reuben,  Jr.,  177,  196,  202 
Hatfield's  Coining  Operations,  282 
Higley  or  Granby  Tokens,  324 
Higley,  John,  324,  326 
Higley,  Samuel,  326 
Hull,  John,  Autograph  of,  facing  page  41 

Death  of,  97 

Residence  of,  97,  98 


Hutchinson,  Extract  from,  32 
Introduction,  iii 
Inscriptions  : — 

Colonies  Francoises,  848 

Copper  Company  of  Upper  Canada,  344,  IX. 

Dansk  Amerik,  348 

Dovble  Dc  L  Amerique  Francoise,  134,  III. 

Equal  to  One  Shi,  328,  0. 

General  of  the  American  Armies,  1775 
Resigned  1783  President  of  the  L^nited 
States  1789  —  356,  X. 

God  Preserve  Carolina  ami  the  Lords 
Proprietors,  338,  IX. 

God  Preserve  New  England,  338,  IX. 

Mind  your  Business,  299,  305,  VII,  VIII. 

New  England  347,  VIH. 

Payable  at  the  Fi-anklin  Press  London, 
345,  IX. 

Three  Pence,  330,  X. 

Trial  Piece,  Designed  for  United  States 
Cent,  370,  0 

We  are  One,  299,  305,  VII,  VIH. 
Jacobus,  31 
Janus  Copper,  304 
Jencks,  Joseph,  Sen.,  79 
Jersey  Coppers,  291 
Kentucky  Tokens,  343 

King  requested  to  order  Impress  for  Coin,  83 
Kirk,  C<ilonel,  Instructions  to,  86 
Knight,  Madam,  Account  of  the  Early  Trade, 

114 
Lawrence,  Earl  of  Rochestei',  Letter  to,  89 
Leddel,  William,  Petition  of,  277 
Legend <  :  — 

America,  306,  0. 

American  Congress,  305, 306, 370,  \'  1 1,\'  i  1 1. 

American  Liberty,  175,  176,  VI. 

Auctori  Connec,  192,  209,  211,  288,  V,  VL 

Auctori  Plebis,  342,  IX. 

Auctori  Vermon,  181,  185,  0. 

At  the  Store  of  Talbot  Allum  &  Lee,  New 
York,  336,  IX. 

Baltimore  Town,  July  4,  90,  330,  X. 

Briti.'ih  Settlement  Kentucky,  344,  IX. 


INDEX. 


375 


Legends : — 

Bnn:  Et  •  Lvn  :  Dvx-Sa  :  Horn  :  Mi  :  Aic= 

The  :EtPi:Eloc-  147,  III. 
C.-ccilivs  :  1)T^  :  Tcrr.'e-:Mana>  :  &  Ct.   130, 

131,  III. 
Ccoivivs  III-  Ilex.  313,  315,  3-2ii,  VII. 
CliroiioiiU'ters,  Clocks,  Watches,  Jewelry, 

.Silveiwaic,  335,  IX. 
Common wialtli  .  l!47,  VI. 
Confederalio.  314,  31U,  VII. 
Connecticvt .  1737  .  324,  VIII. 
Continental  Currency.  305,  VIII. 
Crescite  :Et  :  Mvltiplicamini .  130,  III. 
Dat  •  Paeem  •  Et  Auget  •  Opes  •  147,  III. 
Dat  •  Pacem-Et  •  Nonas  •  Prebet  ■  Et  •  Augef 

Opes  •  147,  III. 
Ecce  Grex.  137,  III. 
E  Pluribus  Unum  .  317,  319,  320,  343,  VI, 

VII,  VIII,  IX. 
Excelsior,  318,  321,  VIII. 
Felicitas  :  Britannia  :  Et  :  America  370,  0. 
Floreat  Rex  .   137,  III. 
Fugio.  29y,  301,  305,  VII,  VIII. 
Gen.  Washington.  317,  352,  VII. 
George  Clinton  .  319,  321,  VIII. 
George  Washington  .  359,  X. 
Georgeivs  Washington,  3G1,  0. 
Georgius  •  D  :  G  :  Rex  ■   103,  IV. 
Georgins  -Dei  "Gratia  •  Rex  •  161,  102,  1G3, 

168,  III,  IV. 
Georgius  •  D  :  G  :  Mag  :  Bri  :  Kra  :  Et  •  Ilib  : 

Rex  •  147,  ICl,  104,  III,  IV. 
Georgivs  ■  Rex  •  147,  III. 
Georgivs  ■  11  •  I)  •  G  ■  Rex  •  107,  IV. 
Georgivs  ■  III  •  Rex  •  192,  288,  339,  IX. 
Georgivs  III.  Dei  (iralia,  339,  IX. 
Georgivs  Triunij)ho  .  341,  IX. 
Glovcester  Co.  [VJ  Virginia,  323,  IX. 
Goddess  Liberty,  304,  VII. 
I  Am  Good  Copper,  324,  VIII. 
I  Chalmers  Anna])olis,  328,  IX. 
I  Cut  .My  Way  Through,  325,  \  111. 
iMiniunc  Cnluinbia.    18C,  312,  815,  VII. 
Iiiiiiiuins  CilinnWiii.    :il7,  :V1I\,  VII,  VIII. 


Legends : — 

Inde  Et  Lib.  185,  192,  211,212,  372,  V,  VL 

Indep  Et  Liber,  342,  IX. 

Ininiica  Tyrannis  ■  Americana  •  310.  \U 

In  New  England  :  Ano  :  51.  1,  II. 

■Ivan  Estevan  Ue  Pona  Florida.  348,  0 

Liber  Natus  Libertatein  Dcfeiido  319,  321, 

VI I L 
Libertas  Et  Justitia,  316,  332.  \'ll, 
Libertas  Justitia,  307,  331,  ^'II,  VIII. 
Liberty,  366,  X. 
Liberty  &  Commerce,  335,  IX. 
Liberty  and  Security,  359,  X. 
Liberty  and  Virtue,  304,  VII. 
Liberty  Parent  of  Science  &  Industry  364, 

365,  X. 
Liverpool  Halfpenny,  353,  X. 
Ludovicvs  •  XIIII  •  D  •  Gr  ■  Fran  •  Et  •  Nav  • 

Rex,  134,  IIL 
Mag  •  Brit  •  Fra  •  Et  •  Hiber  •  Rex :  ■  147,  III. 
Massachusetts.  247,  VI. 
Massachusetts  State  308,  VII. 
Masathvsets  .  In  .  46,  I,  IL 
Motts,  N.   Y.    Importers,  Dealers,    Manu- 
facturers, of  Gold  &  Silver  Wares.  334, 

IX. 
Neo-Eboracensis .  320,  VIIL 
Neo-Eboracus  1787,  Excelsior,  322,  \1II. 
New  England  An  Do,  51,  I.  11. 
New  Yorkc  In  America,  345,  VIII. 
Non  DejHMidens  Status  306,  0. 
Non  Vi  Virtute  Vici.  320,  VIII. 
North  American  Token   173,  IX. 
North  AA'ales  .  362,  0. 
Nova  Ca-sarea.  283,  VI,  \T1. 
Nova  Constellatio.  307,311,312,  331,  \11, 

VIIL 
Nova  Eborac.  340,  VIIL 
Nova  Eboraca  Columbia  Excelsior,  322,  IX. 
Payable  by  Clark  &  Harris  13  \V(urM«<ind 

S'    Bishoitsgate.  359,  X. 
P.ayable  by  P.  P.  P.  .My.ldclton  .   344,  IX. 
l,)u;nt.i  Decima  Stella.  181,  IV. 
(.Juicscat  Plcbs.    138,  HI. 


376 


THE    EARLY    COnSTS    OF    AJVIERICA. 


Legends: — 

Regit  Vnvs  Vtroqve  .  167,  0. 

Richard   Dawson  .  Anno  Dom.  1714.  323, 
IX. 

Rosa  Americana.  1733  167,  1\  . 

Rosa  Americana  Utile  Dulci .  161,  164,  III, 
IV. 

Rosa  Sine  Spina.  168,  III. 

Sic   Oritnr  Doctriiia  Surgetque    Libertas, 
345,  IX. 

Sommer  Islands .   17,1. 

Standisli  Barry.  330,  X. 

State  of  Massa:  i  D.  303,  VII. 

Stella  Quarta  Decima  .  180,  IV. 

Talbot  Alium  &  Lee.  335,  IX. 

The  Value  of  Three  Pence  .  324,  VIII. 

Unanimity   is    the    Strength    of    Society, 
343,  IX. 

United  States,  299,  300,  350,  351,  VII,  X. 

United  St.ates  of  America.  357,  364,  X. 

Unity  States  of  America  .  350,  0. 

Unum  E.  Pluribns.  322,  IX. 

Value  Me  As  You  Please  .  324,  VIII. 

Vermon  Auctori.  185,  192,  313,  315,  V. 

Vermontensium  Res  Publica.   181,  IV. 

Vermontis  Res  Publica  .   180,  IV. 

Vermonts  Res  Publica.  180,  IV. 

Virginia .  339,  IX. 

Virt.  Et  Lib.  340,  MIL 

Voce  Popoli .  341,  IX. 

Washington,  350,  0. 

Washington  President .  353,  X. 

Washington  President  1791  .  353,  X. 

Washington  President  1792  .  355,  X. 

Washington  President  1  1792.  357,  X. 

Washington  President  1796.  358,  0. 

Washington  the  Great,  D.  G.  351,  X. 

Washington  &  Independence,  349,  X. 
Liberty  of  Coinage  to  be  solicited,  96 
Lord  Baltimore  Coin  —  unique,  369 
Lord  High  Treasurer,  Letter  to,  89 
Lords  of  Treasury,  Letters  to,  87,  96 
Machin,  Thomas,  191-202,  290 
Mansfielld,  John,  Petition  from,  103 


Manus  Inimica  Tyrannis,  309 

Mark,  307 

Marks,  30 

Marks  and  Contractions,  ix 

Maryland,  123 

Acts  relating  to  Mint  in,  126 
Acts  relating  to  Coin,  128 
Description  of  Coins,  130 
Regulates  Current  Coins,  132 

Massachusetts  Silver  Coinage,  25 

Reasons  for  establishing  Mint  in,  31 

Scarcity  of  ]Money  in,  29 

Original  Draught  of  First  Act,  34 

Copies  of  Acts  from  Records,  36 

Price  jiaid  for  coining  in,  38 

First  Action  of  Committee,  39 

First  Designs  for  Coins,  39 

I^ac  Simile  of  Designs,  facing  page  41 

Order  from  the  Committee,  42 

Forms  of  Coins  of,  43 

Change  of  Design,  43,  44 

E.\|>ort:iti(in  of  Coin  prohibited,  70,  79,  98, 

101,  104 
Date  u|)on  Coin  not  changed,  72 
Order  for  Coinage  of  Twopcnces,  73 
Mic  Simile  of  Order,  facing  page  41 
Committee  to  contract  with  Mint  Master, 

71,  78,  81 
Reports  of  Committee,  72,  78,  81 
Necessity  for  coining,  76 
Proceeilings  against  Mint,  76 
The  King  asked  to  order  Impress,  83 
Mint  discontinued,  91 
Act  against  counterfeiting,  99 
Proposals  to  make  JSIint  Free,  108 
Cojqier  Coinage,  225 
Chalkhill,  William,  Memorial  of,  225 
Importation  of  Specie,  226 
Brick  Arch  to  receive  Specie,  227 
Account  of  Specie,  228 
Memorial  of  Seth  Reed,  229 
Resolve  relating  to  Coinage,  232 
Report  of  Committee,  233 
Proposals  of  James  Swan,  230,  246 


INDEX. 


Til 


Massachusetts,  Calculation  of  Jumos  Swan,  '235 

Governor's  Message,  237 

Report  on  Message,  238 

Congress  to  be  requested  to  uoiii,  239 

Act  establishing  Mint,  239 

Appropriation  for  Mint,  243 

Committee  on  Mint  re])ort,  244 

Mint  Master  appointed,  245 

Copper  available  for  coining,  245 

Petition  from  James  Swan,  263 

Devices  ordered  for  Coin,  240 

Coinage  of  Silvei'  pr()p<iscii,  247 

Descriptions  of  Coins,  247 

Tables  of  \'arieties,  248 

Makers  of  Dies,  251 

Instructions  to  Mint  Master,  252 

Inspector  appointed,  252 

Foreign  Copper  Coin,  253 

Reports  on  coining  Silver,  254 

Reports  of  Mint  Master,  250,  258 

Messages  from  (Jovernor,  200,  262,  268 

New  Measures  pr()])osed,  203 

Mint  Master  to  render  Accounts,  260 

Account  of  Co])per  on  hand,  203 

Proposals  for  coining,  204 

Plan  for  Contract,  205 

Committee  to  examine  Accounts,  207 

Offlcers  discharged,  208 

Accounts  of  Mini,  26!) 

Resolve  upon  Coin  in  Treasury,  273 

Cartage  of  Copper,  itc.,  274 

Location  of  Mint,  274 
Massachusetts  IlaUpenny,  304 
Massachusetts  Pine  Tree  Copper,  303 
Masts  for  the  King,  77 
May,  John,  Proposals  of,  204 

Action  on  Proi)osais  of,  206 
Mind  Your  Husiness  Coppers,  188,  302 
Mint  of  the  United  States,  363 
iMoncy  L'nit,  308,  303 

Morris,  Gouveriiour,  Plan  for  Coinage,  308 
Morris,  Robert,  Extract  from  Diary  of,  310 
Mould,  Waltei',  275,  278 
Moidton,  William,  empowered  to  coin,  175 


Newburgh,  Mint  at,  I'Jl 
Newby,  Mark,  Halfpence  of,  185 
Newcastle,  Letter  from  Duke  of,  106 
New  England,  Elephant  Token,  338 

Silver  Money,  45 

Stiver,  114,  347 
Newgate  Prison,  at  Granby,  327 
New  Hampshire,  175 
New  Jersey,  275 

Pro])osals  laid  before  House,  275 

Report  upon,  276 

Petition  of   \Villi:nn  Led, Id,  277 

Act  authorizing  Coinage,  278 

Suj)])lementary  Act,  279 

Bad  and  Light  Coppers  pi-ohibited,  281 

Location  of  Mint  Houses,  282 

Cop]}crs  made  by  John  Bailey,  283 

Desc'ription  of  Coins,  283 

Tables  of  Varieties,  284 

Notes  on  Tables,  284 

Method  of  Coinage,  287 

Peculiarities  of  Dies,  287 

New  Varieties,  &c.,  371 
New  York,  289 

Early  Attempt  to  establish  Mint,  289 

Early  Regulation  of  Value  of  Coin,  289 

Re])ort  of  Committee,  290 

Action  of  House  thereupon,  293 

Act  to  regulate  Foreign  Copper  Coin,  294 
New  Yorko  Token,  114,  345 
Nobles,  30 

Nova  Constellatios,  Silver,  307 
Nova  Constellatios,  Copper,  312,  331 

Tables  of  Varieties,  332,  333 
Oak  Tree  Coins,  47 
Oath  for  Mint  Master,  41 
Ogilby,  Account  of  Tratle  in  Maryland,  128 
Oldmixon's  History,  Extracts  from,  22 
Order  of  Co\Muil  aj^ainsl  a  .^lint,  etc.,  94 
Parchment  Money,  148 
Patterns,  Federal  and  State,  303 
Patterns,  United  States,  363 
Penalties  to  prevent  fi:iihN,  pro]io-.ed,  121 
Pennsylvania,  169 


378 


THE    EARLY    COINS    OF   AMEEICA. 


Pennsylvania,  Act  against  counterfeiting,  170 

Order  of  Council,  172 

Petition  of  Smyth  and  Harwood,  174 
Penny.  Oak,  and  Pine  Tree,  74 
Pieces  piirposely  omitted,  348 
Pine  Tree  Coins,  54 

Tables  of  Varieties,  56 

Notes  on  Tables,  58 

Shillings  of  1650,  62 
Pine  Tree  Cojjpers,  176,  3U3,  369 
Perkins,  Jacob,  251,  252,  362,  363 
Philadelpliia,  Proclamation  by  Mayor  of,  169 
Pierce,  Jonathan,  Proposals  of,  264 
Pillory,  171 
Pistoles,  116 

Present  to  the  King,  77,  82 
Proclamation  regulating  Value  of  Coin,  117 

Proclamation  relating  to  the  same,  120 

The  same  revived  and  continued,  121 
Provinc  Penc,  116 
Quint,  307 

Quo  Warranto  issued,  112 

Randolph, Edward, on  Massachusetts  Coinage,75 
Read,  John,  Petition  of,  204 
Reasons  for  a  Mint  in  Xew  England,  91 
Reed,  Seth,  Memorial  of,  229 
Report  on  a  Mint  in  New  England,  94 
Resented,  Former  Use  of  the  Word,  31 
Rindle,  Gilbert,  282 
Rittenhouse  Cent,  302 
Rittenhouse,  David,  302 
Rix  Dollar,  30 
Rosa  Americanas,  145 

Patterns  described,  147 

Coins  described,  161 

Without  Date,  162,  165 
Ryall  of  8,  30 

Saint  Patrick  Halfpence,  135 
Samaritan,  Good,  Shilling,  67 
Saunderson,  Robert,  98 
Savage,  James,  Letter  from,  274 
Scire  Facias,  Note  relating  to,  112 
Sommer  Islands,  11 
Stamp  ordered  for  Coin,  80,  106 


Sliver,  New  England,  114,  347 

Stocks,  171 

Sun  Dial  Cents,  188 

Swan,  James,  Petition  of,  230 

Second  and  Third  Pioposals  of,  236 

Again  petitions,  246 
Treasure  discovered,  14,  15 
Trial  Pieces,  352,  370 
Twopences  ordered  in  Massachusetts,  73 
U  S  A  Copper,  333 
Valuation  of  Pieces  of  8,  95 
Vermont,  177 

Acts,  177,  179,  183 

Maker  of  Dies,  188 

Coins  described,  180,  181,  185 

Tables  of  Varieties,  185 

Location  of  Mint,  188 
Virginia,  19 

Right  of  Coinage  granted  by  Cliarter,  19 

Financial  Condition  of,  19 

Act  authorizing  Coinage  in,  21 
Virginia  Halfpennies,  338 
W^ampum.  25 

Washington  Pattern  Dollar,  302 
Washington  Trial  Piece,  352,  Plate  X.  No.  4. 
Wharton,  Mr.,  Paper  about  raising  of  Money, 

300 
Willow  Tree  Coins,  46 
Wilson,  Rathmell,  Letter  from,  311 
Witherle,  Joshua,  aj)pointed  Mint  Master,  245 

Reports  to  Council,  256,  258,  263 

Order  to  render  Accounts,  260 

Discharged,  268 

]?ond  of,  271 

Resolve  for  Payment  of,  271 

(h-der  to  cancel  Bond,  271 

Petition  for  Use  of  Mint,  272 

Petition  granted,  273 

Residence  and  Mint,  273 
Wood,  William,  Patent,  151 

License,  159 

Patent  surrendered,  160 

Pension  granted  to,  160 
Wyon,  Thomas,  315 


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